PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRBK), today announced that Rhonda Costello has joined Republic First Bank, as Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Officer.

    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080806/NEW032 )
    Ms. Costello was a 20+ year team member of Commerce Bank serving as:
    -- Dean, Commerce University
    -- Senior Retailer Officer
    -- Pennsylvania Market Senior Retail Market Manager
    -- Central New Jersey Market Retail Market Manager
    -- Jersey Shore Market Director of Human Resources
    -- Regional Vice President - Burlington County

Harry Madonna, Chairman & CEO commented, 'We are thrilled that Rhonda Costello, who has played such an essential role in the development of Commerce Bank, will lead the new enhanced retail effort at Republic First Bank. This is the first step in the creation of a new 'killer brand' with new stores, new products and new excitement.'

Rhonda Costello commented, 'I look forward to working with the Republic First Bank team to create another unique retail bank experience. Republic First Bank and I share the same goal. Creating Fans, not Customers.'

Republic First Bank is a full-service, state-chartered commercial bank, whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). With assets of $1 Billion, it is the largest commercial bank headquartered in Philadelphia. The Bank provides diversified financial products through its twelve offices located in Abington, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Plymouth Meeting, Media and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Voorhees, New Jersey.

The Company may from time to time make written or oral 'forward-looking statements,' including statements contained in this release and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company's beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates, and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The words 'may,' 'could,' 'should,' 'would,' 'believe,' 'anticipate,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'plan' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All such statements are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.

SOURCE Republic First Bancorp, Inc.