First Republic Bank (FRC) is a bank and financial services company based in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1985 by Jim Herbert, who had a vision to create a bank that would provide exceptional service to high-net-worth individuals and families. The bank started with a single office in San Francisco and has since grown to become one of the largest private banks in the United States, with over 80 offices in major metropolitan areas across the country.
The company operates through two segments: Commercial Banking and Wealth Management. The Commercial Banking segment offers a range of services, including commercial loans, deposit services, and cash management services to businesses and individuals. The Wealth Management segment provides investment management, brokerage, and trust services to individuals, families, and institutions.
First Republic Bank has received numerous awards and recognition for its exceptional service and performance. It has been ranked as one of the top private banks in the United States by Barron's, Forbes, and other publications. The bank has also been recognized for its commitment to community development and philanthropy, including being named one of the most charitable companies in the United States by Forbes.
In addition to its core banking and wealth management services, First Republic Bank also offers a range of other financial services, including investment banking, asset management, and insurance services. The bank's investment banking division provides advisory services to clients on mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings, and other strategic transactions. Its asset management division offers a range of investment products, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and separately managed accounts. The bank's insurance division offers a range of insurance products, including life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance.
First Republic Bank has a strong commitment to community development and philanthropy. The bank has a long history of supporting local communities through charitable donations, volunteerism, and other forms of community engagement. In 2020, the bank donated over $10 million to charitable organizations and causes, and its employees volunteered over 10,000 hours of their time to community service projects.
On November 30, 2020, S&P Dow Jones Indices announced that First Republic Bank would be removed from the S&P 500 Index, effective December 7, 2020. The reason for the removal was due to the company's market capitalization falling below the threshold required for inclusion in the index.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made significant changes to the tax code, including an expanded child tax credit, an increased exemption amount for the alternative minimum tax, and a doubled exemption for estate taxes. The final version of the TCJA cuts the top tax rate to 37%. The proposed rate had been 38.5% rate in the Senate version of the bill or the 39.6% rate in the House version. While many of the bracket thresholds are adjusted, the TCJA preserves the seven tax brackets: 10% retained, 15% lowered to 12%, 25% lowered to 22%, 28% lowered to 24%, 33% lowered to 32%, 35% retained, and 39.6% lowered to 37%.
The TCJA also makes important changes to itemized deductions, including the elimination of mortgage interest deductions on home equity loans, the limitation of mortgage interest on home loans to $750,000 for any home acquisition after December 15, 2017, and the reduction of the AGI threshold for deducting medical expenses from 10% to 7.5%. Additionally, the TCJA increases the AGI limit on cash contributions to charitable organizations from 50% to 60% from 2018 through 2025.
The state and local tax deduction (SALT) is also limited to a combined $10,000 in state, real estate, and sales taxes. Some homeowners may be able to pre-pay some or all of their 2018 real estate taxes if the local tax authority permits and one does not escrow payments with a mortgage.
Going forward in 2018, there are considerable areas of ambiguity in the TCJA that will create planning challenges for many tax filers (and additional revenue for large accounting and tax law firms). As with any sweeping legislation changes, possible amendments to rectify unintended consequences of the new law will evolve as practitioners become familiar with the TCJA.
You should strongly consider what year-end planning opportunities may be possible. Here are a few to contemplate: Consider potential changes in income and personal circumstances in light of potential tax law changes. Consider bunching itemized deductions. Accelerate or prepay deductions in 2017. Why? Higher tax rates this year = more valuable deductions plus potential complete loss of certain tax deductions in 2018. Prepay your 2018 property taxes (the new threshold is $10,000) if the local tax authority permits and you do not escrow payments with a mortgage. Pay down your home equity line or refinance your home mortgage. Consider AMT: Defer or accelerate income and bonuses to the extent possible.