We’re also invested in First Republic Bank (NYSE:FRC), which provides banking and wealth management services to affluent customers in urban, coastal markets across the U.S. First Republic was founded 30 years ago, acquired in 2007 by Merrill Lynch (which subsequently merged with Bank of America), and spun off as a separate company again in 2010. First Republic differentiates itself through its singular focus on providing exceptional customer service, resulting in high customer loyalty and superior growth. The bank is well-capitalized and is led by an experienced management team that has demonstrated superior underwriting performance over many years. First Republic’s stock has risen over 160% since its IPO in 2010 as its high-touch business model and affluent customer base have driven strong market share gains.
From Baron Funds' May 2016 Baron Insight: Investing in Financials.
