National Italian American Foundation Honors Vernon and Shirley Hill

NIAF represents the interests of 25 million Italian Americans living in the United States and its 'One America' award is given to those who have positively impacted Italian or Italian American culture or society. Previous recipients include, George H.W. Bush, Muhammad Ali and Christopher Reeve.

The Hills were recognized for their commitment to keeping alive centuries-old Italian glass making and design skills, through their partnership with the 620 year-old Seguso Vetri D'Arte. Seguso is among the oldest glass-making dynasties on the Italian island of Murano. 

On receiving the award, entrepreneur and businessman Vernon Hill said: "It's an honor to receive the 'One America' award with my wife Shirley, and join the esteemed ranks of such notable previous recipients. "In addition to our focus on customer service and ultimate convenience, a strong commitment to the communities we serve has always been a core element of our business philosophy. Our footprint throughout the Greater Philadelphia region through Republic Bank, in the U.K. through Metro Bank, and now throughout Italy with our investment in Seguso Vetri D'Arte has allowed us to touch the lives of thousands of people. We look forward to continuing this work and affecting change for years to come."

Shirley Hill, CEO and Founder of the acclaimed architectural and design firm InterArch, added: "We have long appreciated Seguso and the larger craft of Italian glassmaking and are thrilled that future generations will be able to admire and create these works of art. It is exciting to think we are helping this wonderful artistic tradition to thrive around the world." 

The Hills have always embraced the power and beauty of glass in design – both building a world-class collection and boldly incorporating the medium into their work. In 2010, they met the Seguso family and learned that the very furnaces used to create some of their favorite pieces were beginning to close and the centuries-old skills needed to produce these works were being lost. The Hills immediately decided to invest in the 620 year-old company and utilize their legendary customer-first business model to raise Seguso to world-class status as an internationally recognized brand. Today, Seguso and glass enthusiasts often visit the company furnaces in Murano to truly experience its history and philosophy. The Hills also plan to open showrooms to engage the consumer in the full brand story and are creating an apprenticeship program to guarantee that Murano's unique glassmaking techniques can be passed along to new Italian craftsmen.

About Republic Bank

Republic Bank is the operating name for Republic First Bank. Republic First Bank is a full-service, state-chartered commercial bank, whose deposits are insured up to the applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The Bank provides diversified financial products through its 19 offices located in Abington, Bala Cynwyd, Center City Philadelphia, Mayfair, Media, Plymouth Meeting, Torresdale and Wynnewood, Pennsylvania and Berlin, Cherry Hill, Glassboro, Haddonfield, Marlton, Moorestown, Voorhees and Washington Township, New Jersey. In addition, through its subsidiary Oak Mortgage, Republic First Bank offers a wide range of mortgage products. 

About The National Italian American Foundation

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and protecting the Italian American heritage and culture. To learn more about the Foundation and become a member, please visit www.niaf.org.

Forward Looking Statements

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. ("the Company") may from time to time make written or oral "forward-looking statements", including statements contained in this release and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company's beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates, and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. These factors include competition, timing, credit risks of lending activities, changes in general economic conditions, price pressures on loan and deposit products, and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The words "may", "could", "should", "would", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  All such statements are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company, except as may be required by applicable law or regulations.

SOURCE Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

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