PHILADELPHIA, May 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRBK), the parent company of Republic Bank, today announced that Jackson Taylor was named Vice President Commercial Lender for Pennsylvania. In this role, Taylor will identify Pennsylvania-based lending opportunities in commercial industries for Republic Bank. Most recently, Taylor was an Assistant Vice President Commercial Lender at Firstrust Bank where he focused on growing the organization's commercial line of business through developing strong relationships with customers.

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During his tenure at Firstrust, Jackson held various roles including Branch Manager and most recently Commercial Lender. In his role as Commercial Lender he was responsible for developing new business relationships in the Northeast Philadelphia market. As a valued member of his town, and falling directly in line with Republic Bank's community focus, Taylor is a board member for Diversified Community Services, a non-profit organization providing a variety of social services to the Point Breeze community in South Philadelphia.

"Jackson Taylor brings a unique set of skills to Republic Bank that perfectly aligns with our Customer-centric focus," said Harry Madonna, Chairman and CEO of Republic Bank. "We are thrilled to have him on board our expanding team."

Taylor noted, "As one of the fastest growing banking institutions in the region, I'm incredibly excited to be joining Republic Bank's rapidly growing team. Republic Bank's acute focus on exceeding Customers' expectations and improving the communities it serves aligns perfectly with my own values, and I'm honored to be part of such a dynamic company."

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 with new stores under construction in Evesham Township and Berlin, NJ. New store locations are planned for the next year in Washington Township, Moorestown, Medford, Gloucester Township and a second store in Cherry Hill, NJ. In addition, relocation is underway of its Ardmore store to an innovative all-glass store in Wynnewood, PA. As one of the largest Philadelphia-based retail banking institutions with 15 convenient locations regionally, 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 15 offices located in Abington, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Plymouth Meeting, Media and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Glassboro, Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Haddonfield, New Jersey.

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.

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SOURCE Republic First Bancorp, Inc.