First Bank Ranked 14th Among U.S. Public Banks by S&P
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 23 2026
0mins
Should l Buy FBNC?
Source: PRnewswire
- Ranking Achievement: First Bank has been ranked 14th among U.S. public banks with over $10 billion in assets by S&P Global Market Intelligence based on its 2025 financial performance, showcasing its exceptional growth and profitability.
- Asset Size: With total assets of approximately $12.7 billion, First Bank operates 113 branches across North and South Carolina, reinforcing its strong market presence as a state-chartered community-focused bank.
- Management Insight: CEO Richard Moore highlighted that this ranking reflects the disciplined approach the bank has taken towards growth, service, and long-term performance, emphasizing the strength of the team and the trust clients place in them.
- Commitment to Value: First Bank is committed to delivering long-term value by deepening client relationships and investing in communities, ensuring a robust balance sheet while focusing on sustained growth.
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Analyst Views on FBNC
Wall Street analysts forecast FBNC stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 59.510
Low
58.00
Averages
60.67
High
62.00
Current: 59.510
Low
58.00
Averages
60.67
High
62.00
About FBNC
First Bancorp is a bank holding company. The principal activity of the Company is the ownership and operation of the First Bank (the Bank), a state-chartered bank with its main office in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Through its subsidiaries, the Bank provides full-service commercial and consumer banking services, mortgage banking services, automobile financing, insurance agency services, and other financial products and services. The Bank maintains a diversified loan portfolio by providing a broad range of commercial and retail lending services to business entities and individuals. The Bank provides commercial business loans, commercial and residential real estate construction and mortgage loans, revolving lines of credit, letters of credit, and loans for personal uses, such as home improvement, and automobiles. The Bank offers a full range of deposit accounts and services to both retail and commercial customers. The Bank operates over 113 branches.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Executive Appointment: First Bank has appointed Will Aiken as Managing Director of Specialty Businesses, aiming to enhance the bank's expansion in key areas and boost shareholder value and long-term growth potential.
- Extensive Experience: Aiken brings over 20 years of banking experience with a focus on credit, risk management, and specialty lending, which is expected to significantly impact First Bank's business development.
- Strategic Focus: This appointment reflects First Bank's ongoing efforts to meet customer needs and support their growth, highlighting its commitment to building specialized capabilities.
- Asset Scale: As the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp, First Bank manages approximately $12.7 billion in assets and operates 113 branches in North Carolina and South Carolina, showcasing its strong presence in the community banking sector.
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- Shareholding Change: Old North State Trust sold all 72,921 shares of First Bancorp in Q4, with an estimated transaction value of $3.70 million, indicating a decline in confidence towards the stock.
- Asset Management Impact: The sale reduced First Bancorp's position from 2.3% to zero in the fund, reflecting a strategic shift that may affect future portfolio allocations.
- Financial Performance: Although First Bancorp's stock rose over 30% in the past year, a significant securities loss led to a quarterly net income drop to $15.7 million, highlighting the complexity of its profitability.
- Market Outlook: Analysts noted that First Bancorp was not included in the current list of top recommended stocks, suggesting a cautious market sentiment regarding its future growth potential.
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- Holding Change: Old North State Trust reported in an SEC filing dated March 24, 2026, that it has completely sold its 72,921 shares of First Bancorp, with an estimated trade value of $3.70 million, indicating a potential decline in confidence in the bank's future prospects.
- Portfolio Adjustment: This transaction reduced Old North State Trust's position in First Bancorp from 2.3% of AUM in the previous quarter to zero, suggesting a strategic shift towards larger growth companies to mitigate risks associated with smaller regional banks.
- Company Performance: As of March 23, 2026, First Bancorp shares were priced at $54.18, reflecting a 33.1% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 by 20.25 percentage points, highlighting its strong market performance.
- Earnings Complexity: Despite First Bancorp's net interest income reaching approximately $106 million in Q4 and loan balances increasing to about $8.7 billion, a significant securities loss led to a quarterly net income drop to $15.7 million, illustrating the complexities in its earnings picture.
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- Ranking Achievement: First Bank has been ranked 14th among U.S. public banks with over $10 billion in assets by S&P Global Market Intelligence based on its 2025 financial performance, showcasing its exceptional growth and profitability.
- Asset Size: With total assets of approximately $12.7 billion, First Bank operates 113 branches across North and South Carolina, reinforcing its strong market presence as a state-chartered community-focused bank.
- Management Insight: CEO Richard Moore highlighted that this ranking reflects the disciplined approach the bank has taken towards growth, service, and long-term performance, emphasizing the strength of the team and the trust clients place in them.
- Commitment to Value: First Bank is committed to delivering long-term value by deepening client relationships and investing in communities, ensuring a robust balance sheet while focusing on sustained growth.
See More
- Ranking Achievement: First Bank has been ranked 14th among U.S. public banks with over $10 billion in assets based on 2025 financial performance, showcasing its excellence in growth, profitability, and safety, thereby solidifying its position among top financial institutions nationwide.
- Management Insight: CEO Richard Moore highlighted that this ranking reflects the disciplined approach the bank has taken towards growth, service, and long-term performance, emphasizing the strength of the team and the trust clients place in the bank, indicating successful customer relationship management.
- Commitment to Long-term Value: First Bank is committed to delivering long-term value while maintaining a strong balance sheet, focusing on deepening relationships and investing in communities, aiming to lay a foundation for sustained success and enhance its competitive edge in the market.
- Community Banking Focus: As a state-chartered community-focused bank, First Bank operates 113 branches in North and South Carolina, and since 1935, it has adopted a tailored banking approach that combines best-in-class financial solutions with local expertise to help customers achieve their dreams.
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