Image Source: Zacks Investment Research SVB, the primary subsidiary of SVB Financial Group, had faced a bank run, wherein it booked $1.8 billion in losses on securities sales to meet deposit withdrawals. Now, amid the growing risks of increased deposit withdrawals, First Republic is eyeing strategic options, including a potential sale, per a Bloomberg article that cited people with knowledge of the matter. The lender is expected to receive takeover interest from larger rivals. The news of the potential sale can also be driven by the company's credit rating being downgraded to speculative grade yesterday. S&P Global Ratings downgraded its long-term issuer credit rating on FRC by four notches to BB+ from A-, whereas Fitch Ratings cut the bank's long-term issuer default rating to BB from A-. These downgrades can increase borrowing costs and raise questions about its financial health.