Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Bank of Walnut Creek, Walnut Creek, California, are reportedly in circulation

First Republic Bank, Las Vegas, Nevada, (which acquired and merged with Bank of Walnut Creek) has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the Bank of Walnut Creek name are in circulation.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 121138013, which is assigned to First Republic Bank. Counterfeit items are not similar to authentic cashier's checks. The top-left corner of the counterfeit items display the Bank of Walnut Creek name and address and a phone number not associated with the bank. Counterfeit items also have descriptions of security features embedded in the top and bottom borders.

Authentic cashier's checks display the routing number 122042205, which is a payable-through account with Preferred Bank, Los Angeles, California. Authentic cashier's checks display scroll borders in the top-right and top-left corners. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are printed in the top-left corner, and the Bank of Walnut Creek name, address and phone number appear in the top-center portion.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Fred J. Casissa
Compliance Officer
Tel: (415) 296-3756
Fax: (415)-296-3753
Email: fcasissa@firstrepublic.com

or

Janine Le
Director Operational Risk
Tel: (415) 288-1450
Fax: (415) 296-3753
Email: jvanle@firstrepublic.com

First Republic Bank
111 Pine Street
San Francisco, California 94111

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents, and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Sandra L. Thompson
Director