Our Commitment to the Community
At First Republic, doing the right thing is at the heart of everything we do — from giving back to our communities to building a diverse and inclusive organization.
“Over the years, First Republic has made loans in communities where others have not. First Republic is also a committed partner in addressing income and wealth inequality in these same communities. Through its innovative banking and education programs, First Republic is helping create opportunity for individuals and small businesses.”
Faith Bautista
Executive Director, National Asian American Coalition (NAAC)
Chair, First Republic’s Community Advisory Board
Commitment to Our Communities: By The Numbers
- Over $7 billion: Since 2010, First Republic has dedicated over $7 billion to finance affordable rental housing and promote community development in low-to-moderate-income (LMI) communities and underserved minority neighborhoods. (1)
- Close to 500: First Republic supported close to 500 nonprofit organizations in 2017, through charitable contributions, volunteerism, and other support.
- Over 8,800 service hours: Employee Volunteer Program provides every employee with 2 paid work days for volunteerism, with over 8,800 service hours given in 2017.
Community Advisory Board
- Established October 2016, members of First Republic’s Community Advisory Board offer advice and strategic guidance on the bank’s initiatives focused on affordable housing, small business and economic development, and financial empowerment.
Eagle Community Home Loan Program
- At the end of 2015, we created our Eagle Community Home Loan program, which offers special fixed rates, plus dedicated bankers and customized service, to borrowers in underserved minority areas. Since inception, through this program we have originated more than $1 billion in mortgages located predominantly in African-American or Hispanic/Latino neighborhoods, directly to residential homeowners.(2) (3)
Our commitment to our communities goes far beyond banking. It’s simply about doing the right thing.
Key Programs
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Cristo Rey
Cristo Rey New York promotes career mentorship and financial education through its Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). In the CWSP, students from low-income families work one day a week in entry-level positions to gain firsthand work experience and learn the value of hard work, responsibility and ambition. Last year, CWSP students worked with 136 companies across 24 different sectors, adding value to their communities and preparing for their next chapter.
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La Cocina
La Cocina nurtures food entrepreneurs. Launched in 2005 by The Women’s Foundation of California, La Cocina provides local, subsidized commercial kitchen space, hands on technical assistance and retail opportunities to low-income individuals—primarily female immigrants—to enter the food business as entrepreneurs. Since inception, 30 businesses have emerged from what many consider to be the most important food organization in San Francisco.
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Lincoln Center Education Mentor-Linc
Mentor-Linc is Lincoln Center Education’s free young artist network and mentoring program available to alumni of Middle School Arts Audition Boot Camp summer intensive, a partnership with New York City Department of Education. Mentor-Linc provides opportunities for young people to develop socially, artistically and academically by accessing resources at Lincoln Center and mentoring with arts professionals.
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SEO Scholars
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) believes in the power of education to break the cycle of poverty. Its free, eight-year academic program provides supplemental education and mentoring to underserved public high school students to get them to—and through—college. While attending high school, SEO Scholars receive over 700 hours of additional instruction in English and math. And in college, Scholars enjoy ongoing, one-on-one academic, personal and career support. The result: 90 percent graduate from college, with 87 percent becoming first-generation college graduates.
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Financial Focus Program
First Republic Bank is committed to providing the communities we serve with access to financial fitness tools and resources. The program offers a series of short interactive learning experiences to help users get a clear understanding of critical financial topics including credit scores and reports, insurance and taxes, and identity protection.
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Employee Volunteer Program
This internal program, launched in 2015, offers First Republic employees 16 hours of paid time each year to volunteer with charitable organizations that make an impact on our local communities, including those dedicated to education and human services. From January 2016 to September 2017, First Republic employees volunteered almost 13,000 hours as part of this program.
(1) Since 2010, through March 2018
(2) Since 2015, through March 2018
(3) Not all properties are eligible. Property must be located within the designated First Republic Bank census tract and secured by a 1-4 unit residential property that is owner occupied, first lien only. Contact a Relationship Manager for details and to determine if your property is eligible for the Eagle Community Loan Program. Loans are subject to Bank's underwriting standards and verification of documents provided. Applicant must meet a First Republic Relationship Manager in person to complete loan application. This can be done at any First Republic preferred banking office. For a complete list of locations, please visit firstrepublic.com/locations.