First Republic Bank

This bank is really an outstanding company. The customer service and care I’ve been given since day one is exemplary. Specifically Anthony Cuadro in SF, that gentleman has really gone out of his way to help me when I was on vacation and needed some assistance, and many other times as well. They walk the talk. Huge fan

I moved back home to SF almost two years ago after living on the east coast for awhile where I was banking with Chase. I figured banking with a big national bank was good since they’d have ATM’s and branches in most cities where I’d need them. After I was living here for a few months I started having to deposit my paychecks in person at a Chase branch or ATM because the amounts were greater than the allowable daily deposit limit with the mobile app (I’m paid as an independent contractor, otherwise direct deposit is a no-​brainer). This wasn’t a huge deal but when a friend told me about the $ 25k daily mobile deposit limit (hopefully someday that will be too low!), ATM surcharge refunds and personalized service, I listened.
He told me to go speak to Anthony Cuadro at the location on Irving Street (close to Gordo’s!). Anthony was super helpful in explaining everything to me over the phone before I even came in and sure enough it was very easy setting up new accounts for my personal and business banking needs. Evidently they also have a good student loan consolidation program for people who qualify.
While the services they offer are similar to what you can get with many other, larger banks, it really feels more like someone who cares to have you as a customer. Literally every time I go into the branch, there’s a customer in there speaking to one of the other bankers just having a conversation like friends would over lunch. Not that we all want to be friends with our bankers, but it’s nice when they ask you how your week is going.
They have branches all over SF and the bay area as well as in LA and San Diego, too, I believe.
Anthony’s my guy and he’ll take care of you, too. At least let him give you a couple of the chocolate chip cookies that they bake everyday.

I finally broke up with Wells Fargo after they lost 20Gs of MY money. I had been having problems but didn’t want to be bothered with what I thought would be a huge amount of work.
If you think that you might be open to breaking up with your current bank but just don’t want to deal with it all (the changing of auto pay accounts and such), just do it and don’t look back.
First Republic is not only great for all the things they do for the customers like:
-«services» I like to have a personal banker that knows me by voice and name. Can easily help me with anything I need quickly.
–personal bankers answering the phone. If they do not know the answer or your own personal banker is out, they will call you back in a timely manner to resolve or deal with any issues you might have.
–They are helpful when it isn’t even their «thing.» Like when I changed from Wells Fargo, they sent an intern over to my house to go over my accounts to make sure there was a smooth transition.
–one can go to any atm and they will charge back any fees from another banking institution for an ATM transactions.
–I prefer bigger business checks for my personal checking account. 10 min of my time and I have the checks, free of charge (even though when I opened my account they gave me 200 of the regular checks for free) No hassle.
If you want it and it is reasonable, they will do it and happily. I do not know why I didn’t break up with Wells Fargo earlier
As I mentioned before, they are great for the things they do but what I also need to mention are the things they don’t do that. make your life easier.
–They do not lose $ 20,000 of your money and then when you call multiple times (see below) and finally get a human on the phone and ask for a manager. Then be told that «a manager is busy helping a customer and will call me back. Probably today.» If not, I should call tomorrow? ??? Uh, last time I checked, I AM A CUSTOMER! And I do not want to talk to the general 1 – 888 number about
money is, I want to talk to a human being that will at least feign worry and wants to solve the problem of why I had only a small receipt from my deposit but no other record of the 20Gs nor was it showing up on their on line banking.
Wells Fargo ended up finding it when I went down in person by using my social security number. When I remarked on my being worried about the missing funds they remarked that it was «weird» that the money wasn’t showing up anywhere else. Weird??? It’s 20Gs I’d love to know how long they would have to work to make 20Gs
–They do not let the phone ring more than 20 times without someone answering it
–They do not answer the phone only to put you on hold for up to 30 min at a time. I once called and while i was left on hold, just drove down to WF branch. Got there before they picked back
call. On hold that time for more than 40 min
–They do not try to sell you «products» every time you go in for something. Identity theft services, extra accounts you don’t need. (When I finally broke up with them, I had to close 9 accounts!)
–As a whole, the people working at WF do not seem to care for their customers. They –WF have a huge turnover rate for employees and so it is very difficult to establish a relationship with a banker that can help you or even know about your accounts or needs. The managers just do not care about training their staff.
I could go on further by attacking WF on how the are structured to just have more clients and «sell» them products and accounts and then charging fees for not having minimal balance, etc rather than just simple straight forward banking. Quantity rather than quality.
In banking you want your money to feel safe and that you have people available to help you when you need it.
I feel that First Republic and its bankers do just that!

super nice staff. really nice customer service. Worth the darn $ 25.00 a month. i don’t need to show anybody my id cause I got a representative assigned to my account. No glass windows. Prompt service. Sooo happy with my new account I opened up.
Thanks Jessica, shes the best staff member to help you!

I put off changing banks for a long time (despite hating B of A with every bone in my body) because I assumed it would be a big hassle. Well, let me tell you that changing banks to First Republic was the best decision I made all year. The hassle was minimized, and now I am super happy to be with First Republic. How many people can say that about their bank?
Where to start? I can take out money from any ATM in the world, and First Republic reimburses the ATM charges. That means 1) you have free access to your money basically anywhere you go. 2) you don’t have to take out lump sums of money when you are traveling to avoid ATM fees. So you can be more secure with less cash on hand. 3) You don’t have to plan your errand routes around going to your ATM.
In those rare, but unavoidable instances of fraud, First Republic reimburses you first for the unauthorized charges and then does their investigations. Most major banks make you wait weeks — sometimes months — while they investigate fraudulent charges before they give you YOUR money back. I had my ATM card number stolen, and the criminal charged about $ 800 on my account. Within 24 hours, my money was back in my account.
I can transfer money for free to any domestic bank account, which is amazing considering how much other banks charge you for this service. This also means that if you send money regularly to someone else that has an account at your current bank, you can STILL do this after you switch to First Republic.
Rachel, Gloria, Renzo, and Brendan are the best. I spend more time than I care to admit catching up with them, trading stories, eating their delicious cookies, and drinking their coffee. This is a staff who, while being very professional, are all very personable, engaging and fun. Even my dog pulls me in there when we are walking by because he knows that he will get «treated» like a star at First Republic.
Sometimes when I am out to dinner with friends, and someone pulls out a debit card from one of the other major banks, I cannot help but shoot my mouth off, promoting First Republic. Everyone says the same thing: «I hate my bank, but I don’t have a choice.» Or «it’s too much of a pain to switch everything over to a new bank.» The one-​time pain of switching all of your bank to First Republic is so outweighed by the amazing services that you get over the long-​term that is really is a no-​brainer.
THANK YOU! You guys are the best.

After seeing the article in the NYTimes this AM about other banks initiating $ 5 fees for debit cards, I once again breathed a sigh of relief that a friend introduced me to First Republic. I simply adore this bank. All of the branches have wonderful, warm, informed service, but this one is my favorite by far. Love you guys at Irving and 8^th! Thanks again!

This is my bank. I think most people don’t have a bank anymore. They have a place that holds their money. But this place, this branch, is a great bank filled with great people.
I walk down there to make my deposits and visit with the gang. We make each other laugh. But most importantly, they go out of their way to make sure I’m getting everything I need.
First Republic has all my accounts, from savings to business to mortgage. Because there’s no reason to do business with anyone else.
Their tagline is «It’s a privilege to serve you.» And it feels true with every single interaction.

Several years ago, my good friend told me about his great experience with Renzo Lujan at the 653 Irving Street location of First Republic Bank. I had heard the same story from several people, but didn’t take the time to switch. Finally, after being disappointed by my previous bank for the last time, I decided to call Renzo. I have never looked back. He is friendly and has great attention to detail. I feel safe having my money at First Republic and knowing that Renzo is keeping an eye on things makes it that much better.

I was actually introduced to First Republic Bank (FRB) through a personal friend at their Palo Alto branch. Once I moved to the Inner Sunset in SF, I started using this branch, and I cannot stress enough how AWESOME the folks there are. (The bank has pretty good services too!)
First, this branch: Rachel, Gloria, Renzo, Dan, and all the smiling faces that work there are always so friendly. It’s nice to know that these people (who take care of my money) also are just nice. (Renzo even knows how to spell my last name!) They are always quick to offer a cookie or coffee, even before you ask if you can do a transaction. It may seem like a small gesture, but willing to engage a person first before you start business is a great way to make a customer/​client feel welcome.
Now, the bank: FRB offers many great products and services. They are always willing to discuss options (which they have), since many of their products are geared towards high net-​worth clients (of which I am not one). The bank has always promptly taken care of any issue that may have come up (there have not been many). While I don’t bank there exclusively, they are my primary bank!
If you are the type of person that is looking for a bank that will take care of your money AND YOU (and your family), check out FRB. If you are lucky enough to live in the Inner Sunset, go say hi to the folks at the corner of 8^th and Irving. You won’t regret it. (Worst case, you will get a cookie out of it!)

This location opened up a few years ago now (?) and I love it. Even though there’s one on Irving and 19^th, its a little chaotic for my taste. The service at the Irving/​7^th location is phenomenal. Rachel is awesome and I enjoy seeing and talking to her every time I come in. All of the staff is friendly and attentive and if you go early enough, you can snag cookies.