JPMorgan Chase Assumes Control of First Republic Bank Following Seizure by California Regulators

On May 1, 2023, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) seized First Republic Bank, placing it into Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) receivership. According to reports, this move came after the bank’s financial troubles made it insolvent and unable to meet its obligations. Following the seizure, JPMorgan Chase submitted the winning bid to assume control of First Republic Bank’s deposits, including uninsured deposits.

California Regulator Seizes First Republic, JPMorgan Takes Over Bank’s Assets

From the first week of March, four major banks — Silvergate Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank — have failed. The failures of the latter three banks are said to be the largest in American history, since the collapse of Washington Mutual (Wamu) in 2008.

Last week, all eyes were on First Republic Bank as it made a last-ditch effort to receive assistance from the private sector. This came after customers withdrew $100 billion from the bank last month, which led to concerns over the bank’s solvency. On Monday, May 1, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) announced that it had seized First Republic Bank and placed it under the control of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

“The DFPI took action pursuant to California Financial Code section 592, subdivisions (b) and (c), specifically ‘conducting its business in an unsafe or unsound manner’ and being in a ‘condition that … is unsafe or unsound’ to transact banking business,” the California regulator detailed. In addition, the financial regulator announced that JPMorgan Chase, a banking giant, has been awarded the bid for First Republic Bank following its placement into receivership under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

On Monday, JPMorgan Chase announced in a press release that it had taken over First Republic Bank. The bank highlighted its “significant strength and execution capabilities” and stated that it was committed to supporting the U.S. financial system. As part of the purchase, JPMorgan Chase has assumed responsibility for all deposits, including those that were uninsured. The move is expected to bring stability and assurance to customers who had deposits with First Republic Bank. JPMorgan Chase has also revealed that the bank will be operated by Marianne Lake and Jennifer Piepszak, two of its community banking executives.

Since the fall of Wamu, the collapse of First Republic Bank is now the second-largest bank failure in the United States. In terms of the size of insolvency, it is followed by the collapses of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. On Monday, JPMorgan Chase announced that it would be hosting a conference to discuss the transaction at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The takeover by JPMorgan Chase is expected to bring about changes in the banking landscape, given that it is the largest bank in the United States.

What do you think the collapse of several major banks, including First Republic Bank, means for the future of the U.S. financial system? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.