It is sad to lose this beautiful, classic, customer-facing and serving bank. Our city- and town-scapes will be diminished with First Republics all turning into Chases. Full disclosure: JP Morgan Chase is my bank. However, there is a First Republic branch gracing our neighborhood at 76th Street and Broadway, and I have taken note of this fine brand in multiple other contexts.

I admired First Republic for exemplary branding, marketing, and design, but as we see, those activities — even performed at the highest level — are only part of any solution. I am so sorry for my peers’ loss of all they worked for.