Republic New York Corporation was the holding company for the Republic National Bank of New York and the Safra Republic Bank (a subsidiary of Banco Safra, which is headquartered in Brazil). The company was controlled by billionaire Edmond Safra, who was killed in a fire in his Monte Carlo penthouse in 2000. The circumstances surrounding his death have been surrounded with much speculation as to foul play.[citation needed] Republic New York Corporation was sold shortly after its chairman's death to HSBC Holdings plc of London.
