Republic First Bank in Philadelphia is changing its name — to Republic Bank.
The $934 million-asset unit of Republic First Bancorp Inc. announced the change Wednesday, as part of rebranding efforts following the March collapse of its deal to sell itself to Metro Bancorp Inc. of Harrisburg, Pa. The two companies were unable to secure regulatory approval for the deal.
Republic also said it is expanding. In the next year it plans to venture into southern New Jersey, and add branches in Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Washington Township. Republic said it will relocate some of its existing Pennsylvania branches.
The company first hinted at a possible name change in June when it raised $28 million in fresh capital.
Republic said then that at least some of the proceeds of the effort would go toward "rebranding strategies."
