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Shares of First Republic Bank dropped about 15% in the extended session Tuesday after news that the troubled bank reportedly has hired advisers to review its options and manage the crisis.
First Republic
FRC,
stock rallied 30% in the regular trading day Tuesday, buoyed by reports that JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPM,
was working to help bolster the bank’s capital.
The Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday that First Republic had tapped Lazard to help it review its options, and consultant McKinsey for post-crisis planning, citing people familiar with the matter. Options on the table include a sale, a capital infusion and asset sales, the sources said, according to the Journal.
Separately, Reuters reported Tuesday that the bank could downsize if a capital raise fails, and Bloomberg reported First Republic may rely on government backing to facilitate a deal to shore it up.
The bank issued “a message to our clients” late Tuesday, as its stock was falling in after-hours trading, that noted recent “unprecedented events,” and promised an update.
“Our commitment to client service is unchanged, and we remain well-positioned to continue to manage deposit activity,” the statement reads. “Today, as every day, we are processing transactions, opening accounts, funding loans, answering questions, and serving clients’ overall banking and wealth management needs.”
First Republic stock has swung wildly in recent days, ending Monday’s session at a record low, and several trade halts plagued it during the day.
San Francisco-based First Republic last week got $30 billion in deposits from 11 major U.S. banks, but the stock promptly resumed its slide as it suspended its dividend to preserve cash.
That followed the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank earlier this month and contagion fears that have rocked bank stocks.
