Roxana Babaei to concentrate on private clients in the Silicon Valley area. San Francisco-based private bank First Republic has hired Roxana Babaei as a Palo Alto, Calif.-based relationship manager. She'll work with the bank's high-net-worth individuals and families on and around the southern end of San Francisco Bay.

Shared commitment

"Roxana Babaei knows the South Bay very well and will be a terrific addition to the team as we continue to expand in the Silicon Valley and Peninsula," says Katherine August-deWilde, First Republic's COO. "Roxana shares our commitment to exceptional client service."

Babaei comes to First Republic from Silicon Valley Bank in Santa Clara, Calif. Before that she worked for Detroit-based Comerica Bank in Palo Alto and in nearby San Jose, Calif.

First Republic has also hired Rafael Rosenkranz, formerly a v.p. at Union Bank of California, as a private-banking relationship manager in Los Angeles.

Last month First Republic made former U.S. Trust executive Michelle Watson director of research for its Wealth Advisors group.

Merrill Lynch is in the process of acquiring First Republic. -FWR

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