We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the consolidated balance sheets of Republic Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1998 (not presented separately herein) and in our report dated January 15, 1999, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated financial statements from which it has been derived.
