First Bancorp (FBNC)

First Bancorp's stock has shown strong performance over the past year. The stock price has gained approximately 40-43% over the past 365 days. Recent financial results have positively impacted the stock, with Q1 2026 profit increasing due to a wider net interest margin and growth in average loans and total deposits. In the fourth quarter of 2025, First Bancorp sold underperforming securities, resulting in a pretax securities loss, but the proceeds were used to acquire higher-yielding securities.

While a 2025 annual report stated that there are no seasonal factors that tend to have any material effect on the Bank's business, more recent financial disclosures indicate some seasonality. Non-maturity deposits followed a typical seasonal pattern, falling $58.6 million during the first quarter of 2026. The company also mentioned adjusting for the paydown of one larger seasonal loan when reporting loan growth for the first quarter of 2026.

First Bancorp (North Carolina) is an American bank holding company based in Southern Pines, North Carolina, operating primarily through its subsidiary, First Bank. It offers a range of commercial and consumer banking services, including checking and savings accounts, various time deposits, commercial business loans, real estate and mortgage loans, lines of credit, and SBA lending. Additionally, it provides investment advisory services, credit and debit cards, and insurance agency services through subsidiaries.

First Bancorp's geographic footprint is mainly in the Carolinas, with 113 to 118 bank branches across North Carolina and South Carolina. In North Carolina, branches are located in cities such as Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Wilmington. In South Carolina, its presence includes communities like Greenville, Greer, Anderson, Fountain Inn, Columbia, Orangeburg, Charleston, Cheraw, Dillon, Florence, Blacksburg, and Rock Hill. First Bank also extends its SBA lending activities through a nationwide network of lenders.

First Bancorp generally maintains a positive news sentiment. First Bank was recognized by Forbes as the number one "Best-In-State Bank" in North Carolina in 2020. However, some customer reviews indicate mixed experiences, with some reporting issues with disorganization, unhelpful service, and unexpected fees. Employee reviews show a generally positive culture and work-life balance, but some concerns regarding management and opportunities for advancement.

First Bancorp's ownership is predominantly institutional, with major shareholders including BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., The Vanguard Group, Inc., Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, and State Street Investment Management (US). Collectively, top institutional holders own approximately 96% of the outstanding shares. Individual insider ownership by company executives is around 1.2% of outstanding shares, with key individual insider shareholders including Richard H. Moore, Michael Goodwin Mayer, and Suzanne S. Deferie.