SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF THE REPORT (Date of Earliest Event Reported): April 5, 2002 REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) PENNSYLVANIA 0-17007 23-2486815 - ---------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (COMMISSION FILE (I.R.S. EMPLOYER OF INCORPORATION) NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NO.) 1608 WALNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA PA 19103 ----------------------------------------- (ADDRESS AND ZIP CODE OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (215) 735-4422 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (FORMER NAME OR FORMER ADDRESS, IF CHANGED FROM LAST REPORT) Page 1 of 4 Pages Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountants KPMG LLP was previously the principal accountants for Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries. On April 5, 2002, that firm was terminated and Grant Thornton LLP was engaged as principal accountants. The decision to change accountants was approved by the board of directors. In connection with the audits of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2001, and the subsequent interim period through April 5, 2002, there were no disagreements with KPMG LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to their satisfaction would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement. The audit reports of KPMG LLP on the consolidated financial statements of Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. A letter from KPMG LLP is attached as Exhibit 1 to this Form 8-K. Item 7. Financial Statement and Exhibits (a) Exhibits 16.1 Letter of KPMG LLP Page 2 of 4 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC. ---------------------------- (Registrant) Dated: April 12, 2002 By: /s/ PAUL FRENKIEL ------------------------- Paul Frenkiel Chief Financial Officer EXHIBIT INDEX ------------- Exhibit Number 16.1 Letter of KPMG LLP (Filed herewith) Page 3 of 4