Republic First shares rise after bank discloses inbound deal interest and sets up strategic review committee

Republic First Bancorp Inc. FRBK, +20.08% jumped 8% in premarket trades Thursday after the company said it’s initiating a strategic review in the wake of “inquiries by multiple parties expressing interest in one or more potential strategic transactions with the company. Republic First said it set up a strategic review committee to review the recent inquiries and to evaluate, together with independent advisors, including Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc. The company does not plan to comment further unless and until the board has approved a specific course of action.