Republic Bank Hires Senior Vice President and Retail Market Manager for South Jersey

PHILADELPHIA, April 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRBK), the parent company of Republic Bank, today announced that Leslie DiLuigi has been named Senior Vice President and Retail Market Manager for South Jersey. In this role, DiLuigi will oversee deposit growth and daily store operations throughout the region.

DiLuigi brings more than 25 years of experience in retail banking sales, services and operations management to her new position at Republic Bank. She began her financial services career with Commerce Bank, now TD Bank, and after years of service, was appointed Senior Retail Market Manager for the state of Delaware. She later spent time working in the human resources department and was promoted to SVP and Senior Retail Officer for the Vermont and upstate New York markets, a position she held until 2012. She then joined ConnectOne Bank and served as the Senior Vice President and Head of Branch Administration. In this role, DiLuigi led the overall retail operations and retail deposit growth, in addition to managing 23 bank officers, including 20 branch managers, and approximately 90 branch employees.

"With her extensive background in the financial services industry and demonstrated leadership skills, Leslie was an ideal candidate for the Senior Vice President and Retail Market Manager position," said Harry Madonna, Chairman and CEO of Republic Bank. "In addition to being an innovative leader with a proven track record of managing and growing successful stores, she is committed to providing the best possible service to our growing Customer base."

"I am thrilled to join the growing Republic Bank team as its network continues to expand throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey," said DiLuigi. "I've spent the bulk of my career serving Customers in these areas, and I look forward to leveraging both my experience and my connections to further grow and strengthen the powerful Republic Bank model."

Building on the momentum of its aggressive growth plan, coined "The Power of Red is Back," Republic Bank continues to rapidly expand its regional footprint. The bank has plans to open a second location in Cherry Hill, NJ, as well as four other locations in 2017. As one of the largest Philadelphia-based retail banking institutions with 19 convenient locations, Republic Bank stores are open seven days a week, 361 days a year, with extended lobby and drive-thru hours, providing customers with the longest hours of any bank in the area. The bank also offers absolutely free checking, free coin counting, ATM/Debit cards issued on the spot and access to more than 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide via the Allpoint network.

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. 

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.

SOURCE Republic First Bancorp, Inc.