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☆ Moody's downgrades credit ratings on First Republic Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 17 (Reuters) - Ratings agency Moody's on Friday downgraded the credit of First Republic Bank (FRC.N), citing deterioration in the bank's financial profile and challenges faced by the lender due to increased reliance on funding amid deposit outflows. The agency cut the bank's long-term issuer rating and local currency subordinate ratings to B2 from Baa1 and long-term local currency bank deposit rating to Baa3 from A1, among others. The outlook on the issuer rating and long-term bank deposits of First Republic Bank remain under review, Moody's said. "In addition, the rating agency noted that while the news of the banking consortium's deposits is positive in the short-run, the longer-run path for the bank back to sustained profitability remains uncertain." Reporting by Akriti Sharma and Juby Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler and William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

A source with knowledge of the matter said that Swiss regulators are encouraging UBS and Credit Suisse to merge, but that both banks do not want to do so. Credit Suisse shares jumped 9% in after-market trading following the FT report. Credit Suisse and UBS declined to comment on the report. "Credit Suisse is a very special case," said Frédérique Carrier, head of investment strategy at RBC Wealth Management. The supervisors were told deposits were stable across the euro zone and exposure to Credit Suisse was immaterial, a source familiar with the meeting's content told Reuters.

[1/2] A person walks past a First Republic Bank branch in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Mike SegarMarch 17 (Reuters) - Shares of First Republic Bank (FRC.N) lost almost 33% on Friday, totaling a loss of around 80% in the last 10 sessions, despite a rescue package with $30 billion in deposits injected by large U.S. banks. Founded in 1985, First Republic had $212 billion in assets and $176.4 billion in deposits as of the end of last year, according to its annual report. The rescue package came less than a day after Swiss bank Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) clinched an emergency central bank loan of up to $54 billion to shore up its liquidity. The ratings agency had downgraded its outlook on the U.S. banking system to negative earlier this week.

[1/2] A person walks past a First Republic Bank branch in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Mike SegarMarch 17 (Reuters) - Shares of First Republic Bank (FRC.N) extended losses to 32% in afternoon trading on Friday after being briefly halted as $30 billion in deposits injected by large U.S. banks failed to quell investor worries about the beleaguered lender. First Republic suspended its dividend and disclosed it has $34 billion in cash excluding the new deposit injection. Founded in 1985, First Republic had $212 billion in assets and $176.4 billion in deposits as of the end of last year, according to its annual report. The ratings agency had downgraded its outlook on the U.S. banking system to negative earlier this week.

Credit Suisse declined to comment on the banks' actions. MARKET TROUBLES LINGERBanking stocks globally have been battered since Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, raising questions about other weaknesses in the wider financial system. A view of the Park Avenue location of the First Republic Bank, in New York City, U.S., March 10, 2023. The supervisors were told deposits were stable across the euro zone and exposure to Credit Suisse was immaterial, a source familiar with the meeting's content told Reuters. "Japan's financial system remains stable as a whole," Kishida told a news briefing.

☆ Wall Street ends sharply lower on bank contagion fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Stephen Culp | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

For the week, while the benchmark S&P 500 ended higher than last Friday's close, the Nasdaq and the Dow posted weekly declines. "(The sell-off) is a bit of an overreaction," said Oliver Pursche, senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors in New York. Those concerns have spread to Europe, as Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) shares stumbled over liquidity worries, prompting policymakers to scramble to reassure markets. First Republic Bank (FRC.N) plunged after the bank announced it was suspending its dividend, reversing Thursday's surge that was sparked by an unprecedented $30 billion rescue package from large financial institutions. First Republic's peers, PacWest Bancorp (PACW.O) and Western Alliance (WAL.N), both ended the session sharply lower.

The boost was shortlived and fears of a banking crisis gripped the market on Friday, with shares of First Republic Bank (FRC.N), which also suspended its dividend payout, dropping 24.5%. The KBW regional banking index (.KRX) and the S&P 500 banks index (.SPXBK) fell over 9% each in the week. Investors are now looking ahead to the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, due next week, to gauge how it will tame inflation. Money market participants now see a 67% chance of the Fed raising rates by 25 basis points on March 22. . Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 5.46-to-1 ratio on the NYSE by a 3.56-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.

March 17 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse and First Republic Bank shares came under renewed pressure on Friday despite multibillion-dollar support deals, while a source said European Central Bank supervisors see no contagion for euro zone banks from the turmoil. With investor confidence far from restored, analysts, investors and bankers think the loan facility has only bought Credit Suisse some time to work out what to do next. Meanwhile, U.S. regional bank shares, including PacWest Bancorp (PACW.O), also opened sharply lower, with First Republic down around 25%. But the supervisors were told deposits were stable across the euro zone and exposure to Credit Suisse was immaterial, a source familiar with the meeting's content told Reuters. The ECB pressed forward with a 50 basis-point rate hike, arguing that euro zone banks were in good shape and that if anything, higher rates should bolster their margins.

☆ First Republic tumbles as $30 billion rescue fails to reassure investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Medha Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A person walks past a First Republic Bank branch in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Mike SegarMarch 17 (Reuters) - Shares of First Republic Bank (FRC.N) tumbled 17% in early trading on Friday after being briefly halted as $30 billion in deposits injected by large U.S. banks failed to quell investor worries about the beleaguered lender. Founded in 1985, First Republic had $212 billion in assets and $176.4 billion in deposits as of the end of last year, according to its annual report. "Judging by the market's reaction, it appears that maybe the damage has been done to the brand reputation of First Republic. First Republic said it borrowed up to $109 billion from the U.S. Federal Reserve between March 10 and March 15.

The rescue package came shortly after embattled Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) tapped an emergency central bank loan of up to $54 billion to shore up its liquidity. The ECB supervisors saw no contagion to euro zone banks from the market turmoil, a source familiar with the content of the meeting told Reuters, adding that supervisors were told deposits remained stable across euro zone banks and exposure to Credit Suisse was immaterial. "I don't think we are in the crux of a global financial crisis. The ECB pressed forward with its 50 basis point rate hike, arguing that euro zone banks were in good shape and that if anything, higher rates should bolster their margins. Japan's finance ministry, financial regulator and central bank said they would meet on Friday to discuss developments.

SummarySummary Companies First Republic Bank tumbles on suspending dividendFedEx jumps on full-year profit forecast raiseFutures mixed: Dow down 0.30%, S&P down 0.11%, Nasdaq up 0.10%March 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were mixed on Friday as investors remained wary about a potential banking crisis despite the country's largest banks throwing troubled regional lender First Republic Bank a lifeline. Big U.S. banks were mixed, with JPMorgan and Citigroup (C.N) flat, while Wells Fargo (WFC.N) edged 0.1% higher. European Central Bank supervisors saw no contagion to euro zone banks from the recent market turmoil, a source said. Investors are now looking ahead to the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, due next week, to gauge how it will tame inflation amid a banking crisis. Money market participants now see an 83% chance of the Fed raising rates by 25 basis points on March 22.

Governments around the globe are stepping in with extraordinary rescue plans to keep the banking system stable. US regulators orchestrated a $30 billion cash infusion into First Republic Bank, a regional bank with a similar profile to the failed Silicon Valley Bank. The stock fell another 5% in morning trade, as rumors of a takeover -- either by UBS or the government -- continued to swirl. But the Federal Reserve loaned out $150 billion to banks last week, including $12 billion in its new emergency lending program. We're nowhere close to what banks were borrowing during the global financial crisis -- but that's still a lot of money.

☆ Morning Bid: Shock and awe - or mayday?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike DolanMarkets are struggling with whether to be relieved by the sheer scale of Thursday's U.S. bank rescue or be terrified by it. But there was little confidence the rising financial stress would dissipate quickly from here. The discount window jump crashed through a prior record of $112 billion during the banking collapse of 2008. What's more, 75 basis points of Fed rate cuts are still priced between a peak of 5% in May to yearend. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

March 17 (Reuters) - European Central Bank supervisors met to tackle growing cracks in the banking system on Friday after a $30 billion lifeline for U.S. lender First Republic Bank (FRC.N) eased fears of its imminent collapse. The rescue package came less than a day after Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) clinched an emergency central bank loan of up to $54 billion to shore up its liquidity. The two deals helped restore some calm to global markets, after a torrid week for banking stocks. "French and European banks are very solid," ECB policymaker and French central bank governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau, told BFM business radio. Japan's finance ministry, financial regulator and central bank said they would meet on Friday to discuss developments.

☆ First Republic Bank Frankfurt-listed shares rise after rescue
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A person walks past a First Republic Bank branch in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Mike SegarLONDON, March 17 (Reuters) - The Frankfurt-listed shares of First Republic Bank (FRC.N) rose as much as 5% in in early trading on Friday after large U.S. banks injected $30 billion in deposits into the beleaguered lender on Thursday. Frankfurt-listed shares in other U.S. banks including Zions Bancorp (ZION.O) and Fifth Third (FITB.O) were indicated up around 3%. First Republic was caught up in a widening banking crisis triggered by the collapse of two other mid-size U.S. lenders over the past week. The rescue package came less than a day after Swiss bank Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) clinched an emergency central bank loan of up to $54 billion to shore up its liquidity.

The package came less than a day after Swiss bank Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) clinched an emergency central bank loan of up to $54 billion to shore up its liquidity. Analysts say authorities appear eager to quickly deal with systemic risks, but worry the potential for a banking crisis is far from over. "Yellen was clear overnight that all bank deposits were protected, but the bank might not be there," he said. Within days, the market turmoil had ensnared Credit Suisse, forcing it to borrow from Switzerland's central bank. Credit Suisse shares closed 19% higher on Thursday, recovering some of their 25% fall on Wednesday.

March 16 (Reuters) - First Republic Bank's (FRC.N) shares fell 17% in extended trading on Thursday, despite an unprecedented show of support in the bank from nearly a dozen of the world's largest financial institutions. The bank's shares, which had closed 10% higher after a volatile day that saw trading halted 17 times, slumped in after-market trading. Jason Ware, chief investment officer for Albion Financial Group, said the Dimon-led banking sector intervention on Thursday was a "shot in the arm of the system" but likely more was needed. A First Republic Bank branch is pictured in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., March 13, 2023. The bank's shares have been hit hard in recent days in the aftermath of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.

☆ Big banks to the rescue
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Goldman Sachs' decision to charge employees for coffee might not be that outrageous after all! The largest US banks — headlined by Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo — just pledged a total of $30 billion in deposits to First Republic Bank. As detailed in a release announcing the news, the 11 banks, which also included Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, believe the move "demonstrates their overall commitment to helping banks serve their customers and communities. I can't imagine the big banks looking to pull the rug out from First Republic four months from now, but this money was a deposit, not a donation. Read more about how big banks came to the rescue of First Republic with $30 billion in deposits.

☆ Moral hazard? Hawkish pause? What these terms mean and why should investors care
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Two phrases are being thrown around on CNBC and elsewhere: "moral hazard" and "hawkish pause." Now that's not to say there isn't a middle ground, a scenario in which deposits are 100% guaranteed nationwide and regulations are put in place to protect against any resulting moral hazard. This is an interesting solution that does address the concern of moral hazard — at least at First Republic Bank — while providing needed liquidity. Given the Fed's dual mandate to ensure price stability and maximize unemployment, the argument for a rate hike is relatively straightforward — keep going until inflation reaches more sustainable levels. Two possible scenarios: a rate hike with more dovish commentary or the "hawkish pause."

☆ Executives at Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank sold millions of stock right before the crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Executives at First Republic Bank and Silicon Valley Bank sold stock right before the banking crisis. First Republic's chief risk officer sold shares two days before the Silicon Valley Bank implosion. Today, SVB stock remains halted but is essentially at zero after Silicon Valley Bank was taken over by the FDIC and SVB Financial filed for bankruptcy. First Republic Bank executives also managed to sell stock right before the crash. All-in, insiders at First Republic Bank sold about $12 million in stock in 2023 at an average price of just below $130 per share.

☆ No risk of war in Moldova while Ukraine holds out - President Sandu
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU, March 17 (Reuters) - President Maia Sandu said on Friday she saw no danger of war in Moldova while Russia is fighting in Ukraine, despite what she said were Russian efforts to destabilise her country. "There is no danger of war coming to Moldova while Ukraine is fighting," Sandu told parliament. "I want to reassure our citizens that Moldova is not now in any danger of war. Sandu repeated accusations, denied by Moscow, that Russia wants to destabilise Moldova. "As long as I am president, Moldova will hold out," said Sandu, who became president in 2020.

The planned rescue package was discussed by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM.N) CEO Jamie Dimon on Tuesday, according to a source familiar with the situation. A central player in the deal was Rodgin Cohen, a veteran lawyer at Sullivan & Cromwell, two sources familiar with the matter said. A First Republic Bank branch is pictured in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., March 13, 2023. Other lenders including BNY Mellon, PNC Bank, State Street, Truist and U.S. Bank channeled $1 billion of deposits into the San Francisco-based lender. Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed was always ready to provide liquidity through its discount window.

☆ First Republic falls 25% as regional bank stocks continue to sink
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Jesse Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The struggles for regional bank stocks has continued despite the announcement from U.S. regulators over the weekend of additional support. The SPDR S&P Regional Bank ETF (KRE) has dropped more than 11% this week. The SPDR S&P Regional Bank ETF (KRE) was down another 1% in premarket trading Thursday. However, the Swiss National Bank struck a deal with Credit Suisse to allow the national bank to borrow up to roughly $54 billion. But while Credit Suisse's struggles could have ripple effects throughout the global banking system, the Swiss bank's problems appear to be unrelated to the U.S. regional banks.

☆ What credit ratings have to do with the fallout at Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic — and why they matter so much to banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

As panic shoots across the banking sector, US banks' credit ratings have come under the spotlight, and investors are zooming in on how these institutions are graded. Moody's, S&P Global, and Fitch are three big credit ratings agencies that control about 95% of the credit ratings in the financial markets. In fact, during the global financial crisis, credit ratings agencies had been blasted for giving better ratings to risky mortgage-backed securities and collateralized loans. Fears of the crisis spreading have also hit the credit ratings of First Republic Bank. First Republic Bank is now considering various options —including a sale – Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

☆ First Republic Bank plunges 30% on report that it's evaluating strategic alternatives including a potential sale
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

First Republic Bank plunged 30% on Thursday following a report that it was considering a sale. The bank has been roiled by the collapse of its regional banking peer, Silicon Valley Bank. Almost 70% of First Republic's deposits have no FDIC insurance and the bank has $4 billion in unrealized bond losses. First Republic Bank has many similarities to Silicon Valley Bank, including the fact that nearly 70% of First Republic Bank's deposit base doesn't have FDIC insurance. First Republic Bank is also sitting on $4 billion in unrealized losses on its held-to-maturity bond portfolio, which is what sparked the initial downfall for Silicon Valley Bank last week.

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