First Republic Bank bonds rally as big banks reportedly draw up rescue funding plan

Bonds issued by First Republic Bank FRC were rallying on Thursday, even as its stock price remained sharply lower, as investors digested a report about a potential rescue plan for the California-based lender.

The lender’s 4.375% coupon bonds due August 2046 were pegged at a spread of 379 basis points over Treasurys, down from an intraday high of 451 basis points above the risk-free rate, according to MarketAxess.

On…