Exclusive-First Republic considers downsizing if capital raise fails -sources

By David French

NEW YORK (Reuters) – First Republic Bank (NYSE:), the U.S. regional bank struggling to remain viable following a flight of deposits, is looking at ways it can downsize if its attempts to raise new capital fail, according to two people familiar with the matter.

First Republic has been working with JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:) to find new sources of capital after a consortium of major banks provided it with a total of $30 billion in deposits last week in a move of solidarity. Unrealized mark-to-market losses in First Republic’s loan book and investment portfolio have been an obstacle to clinching an investment, Reuters has reported.

First Republic is examining how it can sell parts of its business, including some of its loan book, in a bid to raise cash and cut costs, one of the sources said. A sale of loans to other parties, including private equity firms, is one option under consideration, both of the sources said.

While a sale of the entire bank remains possible, First Republic is still currently focused on a capital raise, a third source said.

The sources cautioned the situation remained fluid and asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential. First Republic and JPMorgan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.