First Bancorp Reports Third Quarter Results

EmitenTrust.com  

Third Quarter 2026 Highlights

• D-EPS was $1.24 per share for the third quarter of 2026 compared to $1.22 for the linked quarter and $0.49 for the like quarter.
• The net interest margin was 3.75% for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, an expansion of 0.04% from the linked quarter and 0.29% from the like quarter.
• The efficiency ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 was 49.09%, compared to 49.12% for the linked quarter and 66.92% for the like quarter.
• Total assets were $13.2 billion at September 30, 2026.
• Total loans were $9.1 billion at September 30, 2026, representing an increase of $116.2 million, or 5.1% annualized.
• Total loan yield was 5.75%, up 8 basis points from the linked quarter and 6 basis points from the like quarter.
• The yield on securities increased 5 basis points to 2.76% from 2.71% for the linked quarter.
• Total cost of funds increased 5 basis points to 1.39% for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 from 1.34% for the linked quarter and decreased 12 basis points from the like quarter.
• Average deposits were $11.1 billion, an increase of $103.8 million for the linked quarter and $263.8 million from the like quarter. Total cost of deposits was 1.35%, an increase of 4 basis points for the linked quarter and a decrease of 11 basis points from the like quarter.
• Noninterest expenses of $64.0 million represented a $1.2 million increase from the linked quarter and a $3.8 million increase from the like quarter.  The linked quarter increase was driven by a $1.0 million increase in Total personnel expense and a $0.5 million increase in Merger and acquisition expenses.
• Noninterest-bearing checking accounts were $3.6 billion, representing 33% of total deposits at September 30, 2026.
• The loan-to-deposit ratio was 81.8% as of September 30, 2026.
• The total risk-based capital ratio was 16.22% as of September 30, 2026, an increase of 0.16% from the linked quarter and a contraction of 0.36% from the like quarter.
• Related to the pending acquisition of Carolina Bank, scheduled to close in early 2027, merger expenses of $0.5 million were recognized during the quarter.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- First Bancorp (the "Company") (NASDAQ: FBNC), the parent company of First Bank, reported unaudited third quarter earnings today. The Company reported net income of $51.3 million, or $1.24 diluted earnings per share ("D-EPS"), for the three months ended September 30, 2026 compared to $50.5 million, or $1.22 D-EPS, for the three months ended June 30, 2026 ("linked quarter") and $20.4 million, or $0.49 D-EPS, for the third quarter of 2025 ("like quarter").  Adjusting for the securities loss-earnback transaction completed in the third quarter of 2025, adjusted net income was $41.8 million, or $1.01 adjusted D-EPS, for the like quarter.

The Company continued to enhance net interest income and net interest margin ("NIM") during the third quarter of 2026. The Company recorded net interest income of $114.8 million for the current quarter, compared to $111.3 million for the linked quarter and $102.5 million for the like quarter. NIM for the third quarter of 2026 expanded to 3.75% from 3.71% for the linked quarter and 3.46% for the like quarter.

Noninterest expenses were $64.0 million for the third quarter of 2026, up from $62.8 million for the linked quarter, and $60.2 million for the like quarter. Merger and acquisition expenses of $0.5 million were recognized during the third quarter of 2026 related to the pending Carolina Bank acquisition. The efficiency ratio was 49.09% for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 , compared to 49.12% for the linked quarter and 66.92% for the like quarter.

Richard H. Moore, Chairman and CEO of the Company, stated, "First Bancorp delivered another strong quarter, reflecting disciplined balance sheet management, strong credit quality, loan growth and continued operating efficiency. Our performance through the first nine months of 2026 demonstrates the strength of our franchise, while liquidity and capital remain solid. We are pleased with our year-to-date results and remain confident in our ability to finish the year on a strong note. We also look forward to welcoming the Carolina Bank team and the enhancements to our South Carolina franchise."

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2026 was $114.8 million, an increase of 3.2% from the linked quarter of $111.3 million and an increase of 12.0% from the like quarter of $102.5 million. The increase in net interest income from the linked and like quarters resulted from additional loan volume and increasing loan yield through originations as well as one additional earning day compared to the linked quarter. For the linked quarter, the cost of deposits increased 0.04%  partially a result of the rate increase during the quarter by the Federal Reserve. 

The Company's NIM for the third quarter of 2026 was 3.75%, an increase of 4 basis points from the linked quarter and 29 basis points from the like quarter.

The linked quarter expansion of NIM was driven by a $152.6 million increase in average loans along with an 8 basis points expansion in loan yield. Additionally, taxable securities contributed an additional $1.0 million from increased balances and higher yields. Offsetting these increases, the cost of interest bearing deposits increased 7 basis points on growth of $83.5 million in average balances. Driving these increases, the average balance of money market deposits increased $135.2 million while the cost of those deposits increased 7 basis points.

The like quarter expansion of NIM was driven by growth of $751.5 million in average loans, coupled with a 6 basis point yield increase as well as the cost of interest bearing deposits decreasing 17 basis points. The Company shifted its mix of interest-earning assets to higher yielding assets from the like quarter, with loans increasing from 70.4% of average interest-earning assets to 74.3% in the current quarter, while securities contracted from 24.8% of average interest-earning assets to 22.5% and short-term investments contracted from 4.8% of average interest-earning assets to 3.1% .

See Appendix J regarding loan purchase discount accretion and its impact on the Company's NIM.

Provision for Credit Losses and Credit Quality

For the three months ended September 30, 2026, June 30, 2026 and September 30, 2025, the Company recorded $1.3 million, $1.2 million and $3.4 million in provision for credit losses, respectively. The provision for the third quarter of 2026 was driven by net charge-offs of $2.1 million, partially offset by improved economic factors and the reversal of the remaining incremental reserve for potential exposure from Hurricane Helene.  The Allowance for Credit Losses decreased $0.7 million to $124.2 million, or 1.36% of loans. Additionally, the $124 thousand reversal of provision for unfunded commitments during the quarter was primarily the result of lower reserve rates.

Asset quality remained strong with annualized net loan charge-offs of 0.09% for the third quarter of 2026. Total nonperforming assets ("NPAs") totaled $45.0 million at September 30, 2026, or 0.34% of total assets, consistent with June 30, 2026 and up slightly from 0.31% at September 30, 2025.

The following table presents the summary of NPAs and asset quality ratios for each period.

Noninterest Income

Total noninterest income for the third quarter of 2026 was $15.1 million, a $0.9 million decrease from the linked quarter, primarily related to a $0.9 million decrease in Other income, net. Adjusting for the $27.9 million securities loss earnback transaction in the third quarter of 2025, the current quarter reflected a 1.1% increase from an adjusted $15.0 million for the like quarter.

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest expenses amounted to $64.0 million for the third quarter of 2026 compared to $62.8 million for the linked quarter and $60.2 million for the like quarter. The $1.2 million, or 2.0%, increase in noninterest expense from the linked quarter was driven by a $1.0 million increase in Total personnel expense. The $3.8 million increase from the like quarter was driven by a $2.6 million increase in Total personnel expense. While noninterest expenses have been increasing, they are the result of the Company's continued growth as the efficiency ratio was 49.09% for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, compared to 49.12% for the linked quarter and 66.92% for the like quarter.  We recognized $0.5 million of Merger and acquisition expenses during the third quarter of 2026 related to the pending Carolina Bank acquisition.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense totaled $13.3 million for the third quarter of 2026 compared to $12.9 million for the linked quarter and $5.6 million for the like quarter, reflecting effective tax rates of 20.7%, 20.3% and 21.6% for the respective periods.

Balance Sheet

Total assets at September 30, 2026 were $13.2 billion, an increase of $109.9 million, or 3.3% annualized, from the linked quarter and $401.3 million, or 3.1%, from a year earlier.

Key period end balance sheet components are presented below.

Driven by the purchase of $150.0 million of US Treasury securities during the quarter, partially offset by principal paydowns and maturities and increased unrealized losses on available for sale securities, total investment securities increased to $2.5 billion at September 30, 2026, a $45.3 million increase from the linked quarter. Total unrealized losses on available for sale investment securities were $263.8 million at September 30, 2026, as compared to $204.5 million at June 30, 2026 and $251.8 million at September 30, 2025.

Total loans were $9.1 billion at September 30, 2026, an increase of $116.2 million, or 5.1% annualized, from June 30, 2026 and an increase of $685.7 million, or 8.1%, from September 30, 2025.   As of September 30, 2026, there were no notable concentrations in geographies within North Carolina or South Carolina or within industries, including in office or hospitality categories, which are included in the "Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied" category in the table below. The Company's exposure to non-owner occupied office loans represented approximately 6.3% of the total portfolio at September 30, 2026, with the largest loan being $33.0 million and with an average loan outstanding balance of $1.5 million. Non-owner occupied office loans are generally in non-metro markets and the ten largest loans in this category represent less than 2% of the total loan portfolio.

The following table presents the period end balance and portfolio percentage by loan category.

Total deposits were $11.1 billion at September 30, 2026, an increase of $41.4 million, or 1.5% annualized, from June 30, 2026 and $245.1 million, or 2.3%, from September 30, 2025.

The Company has a diversified and granular deposit base which has remained a stable funding source with noninterest-bearing deposits comprising 33% of total deposits at September 30, 2026. As presented in the table below, our deposit mix has remained relatively consistent.

As of September 30, 2026 and June 30, 2026, estimated insured deposits totaled $6.6 billion, or 58.9%, and $6.5 billion, or 58.9%, of total deposits, respectively.  In addition, at September 30, 2026 and June 30, 2026, there were collateralized deposits of $694.0 million and $748.7 million, respectively, such that approximately 65.2% and 65.7%, respectively, of our total deposits were insured or collateralized at those dates.

Capital

The Company maintains capital in excess of well-capitalized regulatory requirements, with an estimated total risk-based capital ratio at September 30, 2026 of 16.22%, up from the linked quarter ratio of 16.06% and down from the like quarter ratio of 16.58%.

The Company has elected to exclude accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") related primarily to available for sale securities from common equity tier 1 capital.  AOCI is included in the Company's tangible common equity ("TCE") to tangible assets ratio (a non-GAAP financial measure) which was 9.73% at September 30, 2026, a decrease of 10 basis points from the linked quarter and a increase of 61 basis points from September 30, 2025. The increase in TCE from the like quarter was driven by increased retained earnings.  Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of common equity to TCE (a non-GAAP measure) and Appendix C for a calculation of the TCE ratio (a non-GAAP measure).

Liquidity

Liquidity is evaluated as both on-balance sheet (primarily cash and cash-equivalents, unpledged securities and other marketable assets) and off-balance sheet (readily available lines of credit and other funding sources). The Company continues to manage liquidity sources, including unused lines of credit, at levels believed to be adequate to meet its operating needs for the foreseeable future.

The Company's on-balance sheet liquidity ratio (net liquid assets as a percent of net liabilities) at September 30, 2026 was 15.1%.  In addition, the Company had approximately $3.7 billion in available lines of credit at that date resulting in a total liquidity ratio of 38.7%.

About First Bancorp

First Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of $13.2 billion. Its principal activity is the ownership and operation of First Bank, a state-chartered community bank that operates 113 branches in North Carolina and South Carolina. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bank also provides SBA loans to customers through its nationwide network of lenders. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

Please visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com for more information.

First Bancorp's common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC."

Caution about Forward-Looking Statements: This News Release release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, predictions, expectations or beliefs about future events or results or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualifying words (and their derivatives) such as "expect," "believe," "estimate," "plan," "project," "anticipate," or other words or phrases concerning opinions or judgments of the Company and its management about future events. Factors that could influence the accuracy of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the financial success or changing strategies of the Company's customers, the risks and uncertainties relating to the level of success in integrating acquisitions, (including the ability to successfully integrate First Carolina into First Bank; to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition; deposit attrition, customer loss or other revenue loss following completed acquisitions may be greater than anticipated; and the integration of operations and personnel may require more time and expense); actions of government regulators; the level of market interest rates; and general economic conditions. For additional information about the factors that could affect the matters discussed in this paragraph, see the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K available at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements. The Company is also not responsible for changes made to this press release by wire services, internet services or other media.

Non-GAAP Measures

In this News Release, we present certain measures of our performance that are calculated by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Company management uses these non-GAAP measures for purposes of evaluating our performance. Non-GAAP measures exclude or include amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Company management believes an appropriate analysis of the Company's financial performance requires an understanding of the factors underlying such performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as substitutes for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Please see the Appendices attached to this News Release for reconciliations of return on tangible common equity, tangible common equity, tangible book value per share, the tangible common equity ratio, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted return on average assets, adjusted return on common equity and the adjusted efficiency ratio.

APPENDIX J: Loan purchase discount accretion and its impact on the Company's NIM

Included in interest income for the third quarter of 2026 was a loan purchase accounting discount accretion of $0.8 million compared to $1.1 million for the linked quarter and $1.6 million for the like quarter, with the activity primarily related to the continued repayments/reduction of the loan portfolio acquired from GrandSouth Bancorporation in January of 2023. Loan discount accretion had positive impacts of two basis points, three basis points and four basis points, respectively, on the Company's NIM and NIM-T/E in the third quarter of 2026, the linked quarter and the like quarter.

The following table presents the impact to net interest income of the purchase accounting adjustments for each period.

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SOURCE First Bancorp