First Republic Bank

Have been a customer Of the laurel village branch for years and have been very happy with the service. However recently I’ ve moved and had to use the Chinatown branch. What a mistake. The bankers are not as we’ll trained in customer service or helping the customer. How can the 2 branches be so different. The laurel branch is the best bank I have ever done business with. i
Had to drive back to the laurel branch to take care of my business with no prolblem

I’ve been banking with FRB for too many years now to count. I usually use this branch in Laurel Village because it is so close to my office. Everyone is always so friendly and personable – even if there is a lunchtime line. Oh and the fresh baked cookies are a huge plus. I’ve been recommending them for years and plan to continue.

These guys did a real estate re-​fi for me, that the banks I have been with for 35 years would not even consider. They first looked at my whole situation and came up with a great proposal and it all went through as smooth as any transaction I have ever done. The loan officers even went through the buildings with the appraisers. This bank is very upfront about everything from fees, expenses, time frames and expected benefits. I feel that they are responsible people who like to deal with clients who can demonstrate that they are the same way. I got a new low interest rate loan on one property, another paid off completely, and now save thousands in monthly payments. Only a lottery win could be better! I would like to think that my old banks wondered why they lost my business but like everyone else I’m just a number.
Onward and upward, who would have thought real estate financing could be a pleasure, if you have something you think is difficult, unusual, or not doable, contact this bank to figure it out, I’m sure they would like the easy stuff too! J.P.

Why is it always so busy. All I wanna do is make a deposit. Take my money… please

Free ATM at any bank around the world, free notary services, great service. What more could I ask for?

I suppose I am the one person out of the Unilocalers thus far who feels that this bank isn’t as great as you all think it is. I do not have a checking account with them, but the company I work for does. I have been to this bank 3 times now to cash a check for my store, and only one of those visits was close to satisfactory. The first visit I was given a 5 minute lecture by the banker because the check is made out to the store, not to me, and what if anyone found this check on the street and tried to cash it? (its for 32 bucks lady.). I sat in silence with my eyebrows raised until her manager told her to cash it for me. She apologized and said that she was just telling me policy. Second visit was curt and short, but at least she was a bit courteous and didn’t challenge my name not being on the check.
I went to the bank on Saturday, my third and hopefully final visit, and I was so insulted. I walked in, and a CSR nodded me to her desk. I sat down, she didnt say anything or even look at me for about thirty seconds, just typed away on her computer. I got out my ID and the check and set it about ¹⁄₃ of the way across the desk. When she finally decided to help me, she acted like I had put the items out of her reach and said «can you move them closer?» Its a desk madam, not the English Channel, you can reach them. She said not a word to me until counting out my money. I observed 2 other customers coming in, being greeted, shaking hands, and warm offers of help as I sat in silence. I took the money, told her to have a great day, and left.
It has gotten to the point where I argue with my manager when he asks me to go, because I feel that they are rude and judgemental. Just because I am young and wearing a uniform does not mean you cannot show me common courtesy. I may never have enough money to open an account with this bank, but I can assure you that if I ever do, I won’t be putting it here based on how they treat me now. I deserve respect as a human being, working class or wealthy. First republic employees, you aren’t any different than me, because if you had enough money to open an account there, you wouldn’t have to work there. Maybe that will give you some perspective.

This bank is great. Personal service. Moved from Bank of America, and have never looked back. The bank does NOT nickle and dime you like they did at BofA. Need a cashier’s check? No problem, get one done while chatting with the employees. Rebates ALL ATM fees.
My only regret is that I waited so long to switch.

First Republic Bank Laurel Village is as good as is gets! All of the people at this office go the extra mile in customer service. This week they really topped it! They had a book event hosting Gail Sheehy and her book in Caregiving. This is a subject that really needs more local community discussions– this event brought to light the importance of financial preparedness as well as resources and support. thanks!

Not all banks are the same. Rebate on all ATM fees, cookies when you walk in, no 3 inch thick glass between you and the person you are trying to transact with. I actually have a mortgage through them for many years which came with a checking account attached to it. I never used the checking account it just sat there while I continued to Bank elsewhere. Ended that relationship a few months ago, started using the First Republic checking account and now wonder why I didn’t use First Republic since day one. Highly recommend them and from driving around it seems like they are opening more branch locations across town.

Service is much better than BofA, but will the service and ATM rebates be worth the upcoming $ 3,500 minimum to qualify for free ATM rebates or earning a much lower interest rate on CD’s than other institutions if you rarely go to the bank?

Yikes, First republic Bank is as good as it gets. Yes, I love my bank. BUT, 1^st Republic is owned by Merrill Lynch which just got bought by the evil Bank of America.
If B of A leaves First Republic as is, I’ll stay, otherwise, with great regret, am out of there asap.

I’ve been bank shopping for the past week or two and decided to check out First Republic while I was making the rounds.
The layout here is refreshing. You sit down at a desk where a banker – not a teller – will shake your hand and greet you with a smile. I spent a bit of time talking to one particular banker about their account options. I can’t speak as a customer, but as a prospective customer, their service is second to none. Another big plus is that when you bank with First Republic, you open your account (s) and are assigned to a single banker who handles everything pertaining to your account. You have their direct line and their email address to reach them anytime should you need to.
The downside, and likely reason that I won’t end up banking with First Republic, is that most of their accounts and services are geared towards people with considerable assets and investments. They have only one checking account available, the «ATM Rebate Checking», which, compared to some high-​fee national banks like Wells Fargo and B of A, doesn’t have a lot of fees attached. However, it does cost $ 15 a month if you don’t maintain a minimum balance of $ 2500.
Opening a Passbook Account (aka a savings account), requires a minimum deposit of $ 5000 and a CD, $ 10 000. In other words, this bank is not meant for the working poor of San Francisco or those of us who have to wait for payday to pay the rent.
That being said, they treat their customers as ‘clients’ and give people respect that most businesses couldn’t dream of in this century. I don’t think that given the requirements to benefit from many of their accounts, its the right bank for me, but its made my decision a tough one due to their impeccable service.
Definitely worth taking a look at if you are tired of ‘1−800′ banking numbers, teller lines and endlessly impersonal banking.

This is what a bank should be like…
The bankers all know your name and you get to sit at a desk and be treated as a person.
You can actually call them on the phone and have them take care of your banking needs too, try doing that with Bank of America. Imagine a bank that lists their phone number. I call them up sometimes just to make sure I’m not dreaming.
Okay I admit it, I’m also partial to their fresh baked cookies that they conveniently leave at the waiting area.

These guys just rock. I do both my personal and business banking here and I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to walk in and have everyone in the branch know me by name and actually care about helping me and my business grow and make good banking decisions. Great employees and the service is phenomenal. There is no reason to bank anywhere else. First Republic’s Laurel Village branch does Banking right.
When you go to open your account tell them Max sent you and you will see for yourself.
And a bonus — the bankers are actually hip enough to hang at Mr. Smiths– what more could you want?