US explores additional bank support, favoring First Republic: Report

Despite banking laws stating remedies should not be aimed at benefiting a specific bank, this change could be structured “in a way to ensure” that First Republic benefits, according to unnamed sources.

United States authorities are reportedly deliberating on “expanding” an emergency credit line for banks, which may provide First Republic Bank a time buffer to address balance sheet concerns, according to people familiar with the situation.

In a March 26 Bloomberg report citing unnamed sources, it was claimed U.S. officials are pondering what support, “if any,” can be provided to First Republic; however, an “expansion of the Federal Reserve’s offering” is one of the options being explored.

First Republic was reportedly deemed “stable enough to operate” by regulators without the need for an “immediate intervention,” as efforts are made by the bank in the meantime to “shore up its balance sheet.”

The sources reportedly said that while the Fed’s liquidity offerings would be expanded in accordance with banking laws, which stipulate that it must be “broadly based” and not aimed at benefiting a specific bank, they also warned that the alteration could be “made in a way” that ensures First Republic Bank benefits.

Related: Let First Republic and Credit Suisse burn

It was reported that despite First Republic facing structural challenges with its balance sheet, “the bank’s deposits are stabilizing,” and it is not at risk of experiencing “the kind of sudden, severe run” that led regulators to close down Silicon Valley Bank. Sources added:

“It has cash to meet client needs while it explores solutions, the people said. That includes $30 billion deposited by the nation’s largest banks this month.”

This comes after the Fed announced a plan on March 19 to strengthen liquidity conditions through “swap lines,” which involve an agreement between two central banks to exchange currencies.

Coordinated central bank action to enhance the provision of U.S. dollar liquidity: https://t.co/Qs4cYY8BFO

— Federal Reserve (@federalreserve) March 19, 2023

“To improve the swap lines’ effectiveness in providing U.S. dollar funding, the central banks currently offering U.S. dollar operations have agreed to increase the frequency of seven-day maturity operations from weekly to daily,” the Fed said in a statement

The swap line network, which involves the Bank of Canada, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank and the Swiss International Bank, commenced on March 20 and is set to run until at least April 30.