UNITED STATES
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 Report (date of earliest event reported): May 17, 2016


REPUBLIC BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (502) 584-3600


NOT APPLICABLE
(Former Name or former Address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

On May 17, 2016, Republic Bancorp, Inc. reported that its previously announced acquisition of Cornerstone Bancorp, Inc. (“Cornerstone”), the parent company of Cornerstone Community Bank (“CCB”), headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, was complete. A public announcement was made by means of a news release, the text of which is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

The information in this Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is being furnished under Item 7.01 and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of such section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing of Republic Bancorp, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, unless expressly incorporated by specific reference in such filing.

Forward-Looking Statements

Exhibit 99.1 contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the acquired business of Cornerstone and its affiliates, the economy and other future conditions.  Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We caution you, therefore, against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the ability to grow CCB loan and deposit balances post-acquisition, unanticipated post-acquisition loan losses for Republic on CCB-originated loans, the ability of Republic to integrate acquired operations including obtaining synergies, integration objectives and anticipated timelines, the ability of Republic to integrate, manage and keep secure our information systems, and other factors set forth as “Risk Factors” at Part I, Item 1A. in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is available on Republic’s website (www.republicbank.com) and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov).

Any forward-looking statement made by us in Exhibit 99.1 speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

SIGNATURES

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 hereunto duly authorized.

EXHIBIT INDEX