First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FBNC) outlines $12.7B regional banking business
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
10-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
First Bancorp files its annual report describing a $12.7 billion community banking franchise centered in North and South Carolina. As of December 31, 2025, the company reports total loans of $8.7 billion, deposits of $10.7 billion, and shareholders’ equity of $1.7 billion.
The bank operates 113 branches, focuses on diversified commercial and retail lending, and has expanded through acquisitions in the Carolinas and Magnolia Financial’s specialty finance offerings. Management highlights interest-rate, credit, CRE, liquidity, cybersecurity, and regulatory risks, and explains conservative credit policies, CECL-based loss reserves, and extensive supervision under Federal Reserve, FDIC, CFPB and state banking rules.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31 , 2025
Commission File Number 0-15572
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | ||||||||||||||||
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||||||||||||||
| (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) | |||||||||||||||||
| Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ☐ Yes ☒ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
☒ Large Accelerated Filer ☐ Accelerated Filer ☐ Non-Accelerated Filer
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. □
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). □
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock, no par value, held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing price of the Common Stock as of June 30, 2025 as reported by The NASDAQ Global Select Market, was approximately $1,795,079,000 .
The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding on February 17, 2026 was 41,477,259 .
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A are incorporated herein by reference into Part III.
CROSS REFERENCE INDEX
FORM 10-K
| Page | ||||||||
PART I | ||||||||
Glossary of Terms and Acronyms | 4 | |||||||
Item 1 | Business | 5 | ||||||
Item 1A | Risk Factors | 18 | ||||||
Item 1B | Unresolved Staff Comments | 27 | ||||||
Item 1C | Cybersecurity | 27 | ||||||
Item 2 | Properties | 29 | ||||||
Item 3 | Legal Proceedings | 29 | ||||||
Item 4 | Mine Safety Disclosures | 29 | ||||||
PART II | ||||||||
Item 5 | Market for Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Shareholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 29 | ||||||
Item 6 | Reserved | 31 | ||||||
Item 7 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 31 | ||||||
Item 7A | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 57 | ||||||
Item 8 | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: | |||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets | 60 | |||||||
Consolidated Statements of Income | 61 | |||||||
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) | 62 | |||||||
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity | 63 | |||||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | 64 | |||||||
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements | 66 | |||||||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Crowe LLP; Fort Lauderdale, FL; PCAOB ID# | 116 | |||||||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (BDO USA, P.C.; Philadelphia, PA; PCAOB ID# 243) | 119 | |||||||
Item 9 | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures | 120 | ||||||
Item 9A | Controls and Procedures | 120 | ||||||
Item 9B | Other Information | 121 | ||||||
| Item 9C | Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections | 121 | ||||||
PART III | ||||||||
Item 10 | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 122 | ||||||
Item 11 | Executive Compensation | 122 | ||||||
Item 12 | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters | 122 | ||||||
Item 13 | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 123 | ||||||
Item 14 | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 123 | ||||||
PART IV | ||||||||
Item 15 | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | 124 | ||||||
| Item 16 | Form 10-K Summary | 125 | ||||||
SIGNATURES | 126 | |||||||
* Information called for by Part III (Items 10 through 14) is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 29, 2026.
3
MD&A and Financial Statement References
In this Report: "2025 MD&A" and "2025 MD&A (Item 7)" generally refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (inclusive of Glossary of Terms and Acronyms below), appearing in Item 7 within Part II of this Report; and, "2025 Financial Statements" and "2025 Financial Statements (Item 8)" generally refer to our Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, all appearing in Item 8 within Part II of this Report.
Glossary of Terms and Acronyms
The following terms and acronyms may be used throughout this Report, with the exception of Item 8.
| ACL | Allowance for credit losses | FDM | Financial Difficulty Modifications | |||||||||||
| AFS | Available for sale | Federal Reserve | Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System | |||||||||||
| AML | The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 | FFCB | Federal Farm Credit Bank | |||||||||||
| AOCI | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/Loss | FFIEC | Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council | |||||||||||
| Annual Report or Report | Annual Report on Form 10-K | FHLB | Federal Home Loan Bank | |||||||||||
| ASC | FASB Accounting Standards Codification | FHLMC | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation | |||||||||||
| ASC 326 | FASB ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses | FINCEN | Financial Crimes Enforcement Network | |||||||||||
| ASC 350 | FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other | FNMA | Federal National Mortgage Association | |||||||||||
| Asheville Savings | ASB Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary Asheville Savings Bank SSB | FOMC | Federal Open Market Committee | |||||||||||
| ASU | Accounting Standards Update | GAAP | Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America | |||||||||||
| ATM | Automated teller machine | GDP | Gross Domestic Product | |||||||||||
| AUC | Allowance for unfunded commitments | GLBA | Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act | |||||||||||
| Bank | First Bank | GNMA | Government National Mortgage Association | |||||||||||
| Basel III | Third Installment of the Basel Committee and Banking System Accords | GrandSouth | GrandSouth Bancorporation and its subsidiary GrandSouth Bank | |||||||||||
| BHC Act | Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended | GSE | U.S. government-sponsored enterprise | |||||||||||
| Board | Board of Directors of the Company or the Bank | HTM | Held to maturity | |||||||||||
| BOLI | Bank owned life insurance | ICS | Insured Cash Sweep | |||||||||||
| BSA | Bank Secrecy Act | LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate | |||||||||||
| CARES Act | Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Safety Act | Magnolia Financial | Magnolia Financial, Inc. | |||||||||||
| Carolina Bank | Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. and it subsidiary Carolina Bank | MD&A | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition | |||||||||||
| CDARS | Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service | NASDAQ | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations Stock Market’s Global System | |||||||||||
| CECL | Current expected credit loss model | NIM | Net interest margin | |||||||||||
| CEO | Chief Executive Officer | Non-PCD | Not Purchased Financial Assets with Credit Deterioration | |||||||||||
| CET1 | Common equity tier 1 | NPA(s) | Nonperforming asset(s) | |||||||||||
| CFPB | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | NSF | Nonsufficient funds | |||||||||||
| Commissioner | North Carolina Commissioner of Banks | OFAC | Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control | |||||||||||
| Company | First Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries | Patriot Act | Uniting and Strengthening American by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism | |||||||||||
| CRA | Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 | PCD | Purchased Financial Assets with Credit Deterioration | |||||||||||
| CRE | Commercial real estate | PPP | Paycheck Protection Program | |||||||||||
| DCF | Discounted Cash Flow | SBA | United States Small Business Administration | |||||||||||
| DIF | Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC | SBA Complete | SBA Complete, Inc. | |||||||||||
| Dodd-Frank Act | Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act | SEC | Securities and Exchange Commission | |||||||||||
| EPS | Earnings per share | Select | Select Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary Select Bank & Trust Company | |||||||||||
| Exchange Act | Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended | TCE | Tangible common equity | |||||||||||
| FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board | TDR | Troubled debt restructuring | |||||||||||
| FCA | Financial Conduct Authority | Treasury | United States Department of the Treasury | |||||||||||
| FDIC | Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation | We/us/our | First Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries | |||||||||||
4
Table of Contents
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act 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 and, further, are intended to speak only as of the date made. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualifying words (and their derivatives) such as “expect,” “believe,” "anticipate," "intend,“ "estimate,” “plan,” “project,” or other qualifications concerning our opinions or judgments about future events. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, as they will depend on many factors about which we are unsure, including many factors which are beyond our control. Factors that could influence the accuracy of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the financial success or changing strategies of our customers, our level of success in integrating acquisitions, actions of government regulators, the level of market interest rates, and general economic conditions. For additional information about factors that could affect our actual results, see the “Risk Factors” section in Item 1A of this Report.
PART I
Item 1. Business
General Description
The Company is the fourth largest commercial bank holding company headquartered in North Carolina. At December 31, 2025, the Company had total consolidated assets of $12.7 billion, total loans of $8.7 billion, total deposits of $10.7 billion, and shareholders’ equity of $1.7 billion. Our principal activity is the ownership and operation of the Bank, a state-chartered bank with its headquarters in Southern Pines, North Carolina, through which we engage in a full range of banking activities. Our principal executive offices are located at 205 SE Broad St., Southern Pines, North Carolina 28387, and our telephone number is (910) 246-2500.
The Company was incorporated in North Carolina on December 8, 1983 for the purpose of acquiring 100% of the outstanding common stock of the Bank through a stock-for-stock exchange. The Bank began banking operations in 1935 as the Bank of Montgomery, named for the county in which it originally operated. In 1985, its name was changed to First Bank and in September 2013, the Company and the Bank moved their headquarters and main offices to Southern Pines, North Carolina.
As of December 31, 2025, the Bank had two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Magnolia Financial and First Troy SPE, LLC. Magnolia Financial is a business financing company that offers accounts receivable financing and factoring, inventory financing, and purchase order financing throughout the southeastern United States. First Troy SPE, LLC is a holding entity for certain foreclosed real estate. SBA Complete, which was in the process of dissolution as of December 31, 2024, was formerly a subsidiary of the Bank and specialized in providing consulting services for financial institutions across the country related to SBA loan origination and servicing.
The Company is the parent of a series of statutory business trusts organized for the purpose of issuing trust preferred debt securities that qualify as regulatory capital. For purposes of the discussion below, these statutory business trusts are not included in our consolidated financial statements as they are variable interest entities and the Company is not the primary beneficiary. See additional discussion below in Item 7 under the section entitled “Borrowings” and Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
Acquisitions
In January, 2023, we acquired GrandSouth, a community bank headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina with $1.2 billion in total assets, $1.0 billion in loans, and $1.1 billion in deposits. GrandSouth operated from eight branches located throughout South Carolina, all of which we have continued to operate. The acquisition accomplished the Company's strategic initiative to expand its presence in South Carolina, specifically in the high-growth markets of the state including Greenville, Charleston and Columbia.
5
Table of Contents
Recent acquisitions include the following:
| Name of Entity | Date of Acquisition | Assets Acquired | ||||||||||||
| GrandSouth Bancorp | January, 2023 | $1.2 billion | ||||||||||||
| Select Bancorp, Inc. | October, 2021 | $1.8 billion | ||||||||||||
| Magnolia Financial, Inc. | September, 2020 | $15.1 million | ||||||||||||
| ASB Bancorp, Inc. | October, 2017 | $0.8 billion | ||||||||||||
| Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. | March, 2017 | $0.7 billion | ||||||||||||
Principal Business and Services We Provide
Lending Activities
We maintain a diversified loan portfolio by providing a broad range of commercial and retail lending services to business entities and individuals. We provide 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. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by owner-occupied and non-owner occupied commercial buildings for improved commercial, office, retail, and warehouse and shopping center space. Through Magnolia Financial we provide accounts receivable financing and factoring, inventory financing, and purchase order financing. We also provide used car floor-plan financing through our CarBucks division. These lines of credit are typically offered to small used car dealers and are subject to traditional floor-plan administration procedures.
In 2025, we established a loan participation initiative to engage with regional and national commercial borrowers within the Bank’s footprint and nearby jurisdictions. The total of loan participations as of December 31, 2025 was nominal.
Because the majority of our customers are individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses, we do not believe that the loss of a single customer or group of customers would have a material adverse impact on the Bank. There are no seasonal factors that tend to have any material effect on the Bank’s business. Because we operate primarily within North Carolina and South Carolina, the economic conditions of these areas could have a material impact on the Company. See additional discussion below in the section entitled “Market Area and Competition.”
Credit Administration and Lending Policies
Conservative lending policies and procedures and appropriate underwriting standards are high priorities of the Bank. We seek to maintain a comprehensive lending policy that meets the credit needs of each of the communities served by the Bank, including low- and moderate-income customers, and to employ lending procedures and policies consistent with this approach. All loans are subject to our loan policy and financing guide, which are reviewed annually and updated as needed. Our lending policy requires, among other things, an analysis of the borrower's projected cash flow and ability to service the debt.
Individual lending authority is assigned by the Bank’s Chief Credit Officer. Loans are approved under our loan policy, which provides that lending officers have sole authority to approve loans of various amounts commensurate with their seniority, experience and needs within the market. All requests for extensions of credit in excess of any individual lending officer's authority are reviewed by one of our regional credit officers, who can approve loans up to their respective lending authority of $10 million to $15 million. When the request for approval exceeds the authority level of the regional credit officer, the request is then reviewed for approval by the Bank’s Chief Credit Officer who has $25 million in lending authority. For loans in excess of this amount, the Bank's Chief Executive Officer, the Company's President and the Bank's Chief Credit Officer have joint authority to approve loans up to $125 million. The Board, generally through its Executive Loan Committee, approves loans in excess of $125 million. In addition, the Executive Loan Committee reviews and approves loans to executive officers, directors, and their affiliates and recommends those loans to the Board for its approval.
Our legal lending limit to any one borrower is approximately $223.5 million. All lending authorities are based on the borrower’s total credit exposure, which is an aggregate of the Bank’s lending relationship with the borrower either directly or indirectly through loan guarantees or other borrowing entities related to the borrower through ownership or other control relationship(s).
6
Table of Contents
We continually monitor our loan portfolio to identify areas of concern and to enable us to take corrective action. Lending and credit administration officers and the Board meet periodically to review past due loans and portfolio quality, the status of large loans and certain other credit or economic related matters which may impact the risk in the portfolio. Individual lending officers are responsible for monitoring any changes in the financial status of borrowers and pursuing collection of early-stage past due amounts. For certain types of loans that exceed our established parameters of past due status, the Bank’s Asset Resolution Group assumes the management of the loans, and in some cases, we engage a third-party firm to assist in collection efforts. Loans that are serviced by others, such as certain residential mortgage loans, are monitored by the Bank’s credit officers, although ultimate collection of past due amounts is the responsibility of the servicing agents.
The Bank has an internal loan review department that conducts on-going and targeted reviews of the Bank’s loan portfolio and assesses the Bank’s adherence to loan policies, risk grading, and accrual policies. Reports are generated for management based on these activities and findings are used to adjust risk grades as deemed appropriate. In addition, these reports are shared with the Board. The loan review department also provides training assistance to the Bank’s training and credit administration departments.
To further assess the Bank’s loan portfolio, in addition to the Bank’s internal loan review department, we also contract with an independent consulting firm to perform independent assessments, including reviewing new loan originations meeting certain criteria and reviewing risk grades of existing credits meeting certain thresholds. The consulting firm’s observations, comments, and risk grade recommendations, including variances with the Bank’s risk grades, are shared with the Audit Committee of the Board and are considered by management in setting Bank policy, and in evaluating the adequacy of our ACL.
Loan Concentrations
Our commercial loan portfolio consists predominately of owner-occupied real estate and non-owner occupied income-producing real estate and land development loans, which are primarily secured by real estate located in North Carolina and South Carolina. In order to monitor the portfolio for possible concentrations, we categorize our CRE loans by regulatory categories, including multi-family, retail, warehouse, office, healthcare, hotel/motel, and other commercial real estate. As of December 31, 2025, the largest categories of CRE loans as a percentage of total loans were retail at approximately 13%, followed by office, of which non owner-occupied was approximately 6% and owner-occupied was approximately 3%, commercial at approximately 6% and warehouse at approximately 6%. These CRE categories are within management's guidelines as a percent of total capital. The loans within these categories are generally secured by real estate and are therefore susceptible to changes in real estate valuations and other market disruptions. The loans were originated using underwriting standards as set forth by management. Our loan policies are focused on the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, including commercial real estate loans, in terms of loan approval and credit quality. It is the opinion of management that these loans do not pose any unusual risks and that adequate consideration has been given to the above loans in establishing the ACL.
Most of our business activity is with customers located within the markets where we have banking operations. The following table presents our total lending exposure in the counties with the largest percentage of our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. These percentages represent the geographic location of the customer, which may or may not also be the location of the loan collateral.
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Wake County, North Carolina | 9.4 | % | 9.7 | % | ||||||||||
| New Hanover County, North Carolina | 9.5 | % | 8.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Mecklenburg County, North Carolina | 8.2 | % | 7.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Buncombe County, North Carolina | 5.0 | % | 5.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Guilford County, North Carolina | 4.9 | % | 4.9 | % | ||||||||||
No other county had total loans outstanding in excess of 5% of the total portfolio at either period presented. We have no significant concentrations in a few borrowers or in individual Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Therefore, while our exposure to credit risk is affected by changes in the economy within our markets, the risk is not significantly concentrated.
Investment Activities
Our investment policy is designed to maximize our income from funds not needed to meet loan demand in a manner consistent with appropriate liquidity and risk objectives. Pursuant to this policy, we may invest in U.S. government
7
Table of Contents
bonds, GSEs, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, commercial mortgage-backed securities, state and municipal obligations, public housing authority bonds, and, to a limited extent, corporate bonds. Investments are subject to concentration and maturity limits to avoid unnecessary risks. We may also invest in time deposits with other financial institutions up to a defined limit.
Investments in our portfolio must satisfy certain quality criteria. In making investment decisions, we do not solely rely on credit ratings to determine the creditworthiness of an issuer of securities, but we use credit ratings in conjunction with other information when performing due diligence prior to the purchase of a security. Investments must be “investment-grade” as determined by a nationally recognized investment rating service. Securities rated below Moody’s BAA or Standard and Poor’s BBB generally will not be purchased. We may purchase non-rated municipal bonds only if the issues of bonds are located in our general market area and we determine these bonds have a credit risk no greater than the minimum ratings referred to above. We also are authorized to invest a portion of our securities portfolio in high quality corporate bonds, with the amount of such bonds not to exceed 15% of the entire securities portfolio. Prior to purchasing a corporate bond, the Bank’s management performs due diligence on the issuer of the bond, and the purchase is not made unless we believe that the purchase of the bond bears no more risk to the Bank than would an unsecured loan to the same company. On a periodic basis, as determined based on materiality and other relevant factors, we review the financial statements of the issuers of the corporate bonds that we own for any signs of deterioration so that we can take timely action if deemed necessary.
Our Chief Investment Officer implements the investment policy, monitors the investment portfolio, recommends portfolio strategies, and reports to the Bank’s Investment Committee. The Investment Committee generally meets at least quarterly and reviews investment activity, portfolio composition, portfolio tenure, and other elements as necessary to assess the overall position of the securities portfolio and risk of the portfolio relative to the overall balance sheet. In addition, reports of all purchases, sales, issuer calls, net profits or losses and market appreciation or depreciation of the securities portfolio are reviewed by the Board. Once a quarter, our interest rate risk exposure is evaluated by the Bank’s Asset Liability Committee ("ALCO") and a summary report is presented to the Board. A subset of the Bank's ALCO meets more regularly to evaluate a number of possible interest rate related activities. Each year, our written investment policy is reviewed by the Board and appropriate changes are made.
Deposits
We offer a full range of deposit accounts and services to both retail and commercial customers. These deposit accounts have a variety of interest rates and terms and consist of interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing accounts, including commercial and retail checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and time deposits, including various types of certificates of deposits and individual retirement accounts. The Bank is a member of the CDARS and ICS programs, which gives our customers the ability to obtain FDIC insurance on deposits of up to $50 million, while continuing to work directly with their local First Bank deposit team.
Brokered deposits are deposits obtained by utilizing an outside broker that is paid a fee. The Bank utilizes brokered deposits to accomplish several purposes, such as acquiring a certain maturity and dollar amounts without repricing the deposits of the Bank’s current customers (which could increase or decrease the overall cost of deposit), and to help manage interest rate risk.
Other Funding Sources
The FHLB of Atlanta allows us to obtain advances through its credit program. These advances are secured by qualifying loans secured by real estate, including residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit and commercial real estate loans.
If appropriate, subordinated debentures or senior debt may be used to augment our funding sources. The availability of these funding sources is subject to broad economic conditions, regulation and investor assessment of our financial strength and, as such, the cost of funds may fluctuate significantly and/or the availability of such funds may be restricted, thus impacting our net interest income, our immediate liquidity and/or our access to additional liquidity. The proceeds of these issuances could be downstreamed to the Bank as common equity at the Bank level.
As additional sources of funding, we maintain credit arrangements with various other financial institutions to purchase federal funds and participate in the Federal Reserve's discount window borrowings program.
8
Table of Contents
Other Services
We also offer credit cards, debit cards, letters of credit, safe deposit box rentals, and electronic funds transfer services, including wire transfers. In addition, to enhance the convenience of our customers, we provide internet banking, mobile banking and mobile check deposit, cash management, remote deposit capture, bank-by-phone capabilities, and ATMs across our branch network.
We offer various ancillary services as part of our commitment to customer service. Through a contractual relationship, we offer the placement of property and casualty insurance. We also provide non-FDIC insured investment and insurance products, including mutual funds, annuities, long-term care insurance, life insurance, and company retirement plans, as well as financial planning services through FB Wealth Management Services, our Investments Division.
Market Area and Competition
We are a community-oriented commercial bank offering a wide variety of financial services to meet the needs of our customers and communities. As of December 31, 2025, we conducted business from 113 branches, with 100 branch offices located across North Carolina and 13 branches in South Carolina.
Our branches and facilities are located in small- to medium-sized communities and in larger metropolitan areas with economies based primarily on a variety of industries, including services and manufacturing. Our branch footprint includes larger North Carolina cities, including Charlotte, Raleigh (Triangle region), Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point (Triad region), Asheville and Wilmington, and larger South Carolina cities including Greenville, Columbia and Charleston.
Our primary loan markets were previously presented in the Loan Concentrations section above. The following table presents the counties with the largest share of our deposit base as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. No other market area (as defined by county) comprises more than 5% of our deposit base at either period presented.
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Moore County, North Carolina | 9.0 | % | 9.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Buncombe County, North Carolina | 7.3 | % | 7.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Guilford County, North Carolina | 5.1 | % | 4.8 | % | ||||||||||
We experience strong competition in all aspects of the businesses in which we engage, including both making loans and attracting deposits, from both bank and non-bank competitors. Broadly speaking, we compete with national banks, super-regional banks, smaller community banks, non-traditional internet-based banks, insurance companies and agencies, and other financial intermediaries and investment alternatives, including mortgage companies, credit card issuers, leasing companies, finance companies, credit unions, money market mutual funds, brokerage firms, governmental and corporate bond issuers, and other securities firms. In many cases, our competitors have substantially greater resources, including broader geographic markets, higher lending limits, and the ability to make greater use of large-scale advertising and promotions, and offer certain services that we are unable to provide to our customers. We attempt to compete successfully with our competitors, regardless of their size, by emphasizing customer service, responsiveness, local decision making, and establishing relationships with our customers, while continuing to provide a wide variety of services. Additionally, many non-bank competitors are not subject to the same regulatory oversight or capital requirements, which can provide them a competitive advantage in some instances, such as operational flexibility and lower cost structures.
We encounter strong pricing competition in providing our services, particularly in making loans and attracting deposits. Competition for deposits in our markets and for national brokered deposits is primarily based on the types of deposits offered and rate paid on the deposits. Given the current rate environment, we are continuing to experience pressure to increase deposit rates in order to retain existing deposits and attract new deposits. Continued strong competition also exists in all of the lending activities we emphasize. With banks of all sizes attempting to maximize yields on earning assets and growth of their balance sheets, the competition for high-quality loans remains strong. Accordingly, loan rates in our markets continue to be under competitive pressure.
We expect competition in the industry to remain high. Competition may further intensify as additional companies (both banks and non-banks) enter the markets where we conduct business, competitors combine to present more formidable challengers, and we enter mature markets consistent with our expansion strategy.
9
Table of Contents
Human Capital Resources
At First Bank, we consider our associates to be our primary competitive advantage, and continued investment in human capital is a top priority for us. We have historically focused on building a rewarding work environment as we believe that valued and engaged associates lead to satisfied and active customers, which contributes to enriched shareholder value. We emphasize open and honest communication, collaboration, goal attainment, and personal and professional growth as the foundation to delivering high-quality service to one another and our customers. As of December 31, 2025, we had 1,332 full-time and 42 part-time associates, all of whom are employed by the Bank and the majority of whom are located in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Our human capital management strategy focuses on attracting, developing and retaining top quality talent regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, national origin, age, religion, or physical ability. We strive to identify and select the best candidates for all open positions based on the qualifying factors for each job. We are dedicated to providing a workplace for our associates that is inclusive, supportive, and free of any form of discrimination or harassment; rewarding and recognizing our team members based on their individual results and team performance; and recognizing and respecting all of the characteristics and differences that make each of our associates unique. Our workforce consists of approximately 72% females and 19% minorities. Of our officer population, 73% are female or minorities, while our senior management team consists of 29% female or minority executives.
In 2020, we formed a Diversity Council, which is chaired by our CEO and meets regularly. The Diversity Council is focused on providing feedback and recommending actions for improvement, as well as removing barriers that impede progress related to the following areas:
•Creating a work environment that demonstrates all views are respected and provides equal access to opportunities for growth and advancement;
•Ensuring all open positions have a diverse pool of candidates, and our job requirements align with our principles and the markets we serve; and
•Creating internal organizational learning opportunities in which associates may voluntarily participate to deepen and develop personal understanding of diversity and inclusion.
Our Board and its Compensation Committee provide oversight on human capital matters, including overall compensation philosophy, equity award programs, and succession planning. Our human resources and legal departments develop policies to support and manage our human capital management strategy, identify risks, and implement practices to mitigate those risks, under the oversight of the Board and its committees.
Maintaining and further enhancing our corporate culture is an important element of our Board’s oversight of risk because our people are critical to the implementation of our corporate strategy. Our Board sets the “tone at the top” and holds senior management accountable for embodying, maintaining, and communicating our culture to associates. Our culture is guided by a philosophy we call "Our Promise to Service Excellence" ("Our Promise"). The principles of Our Promise are: Safety and Soundness, Knowledge and Accuracy, Courteous Service, and Convenience and Ease. All associates joining the Company, including those joining as a result of an acquisition, start their employment by participating in an orientation that focuses on learning about and embracing our culture.
We also seek to design careers with our Company that are fulfilling while fostering professional and personal growth with continuing education, on-the-job training, and development programs. In 2020, we launched our Leadership Development Program, which consists of three development tracks designed to instruct and enhance leadership skills at various levels of an associate's management experience. We believe that effective and meaningful leadership development will further elevate the Company and support us in continuing to attract and retain top talent as well as create a succession plan for future growth.
Providing associates with meaningful, competitive and supportive benefits to care for their lives and families is a top priority for the Company. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance, paid time-off, 401(k) profit-sharing plan participation and an employee stock purchase plan. In 2025, the Company’s 401(k) plan matched 100% of each employee’s elective deferral amount, up to 6% of their compensation.
The Company’s benefits programs also include an Employee Assistance Program which provides all associates a comprehensive and personalized process to meet their individual needs and support them through issues they may be facing. The program provides unlimited phone access for information, resources, and referrals and provides sessions with a counselor for the associate and their family members.
10
Table of Contents
Supervision and Regulation
As a bank holding company, we are subject to supervision, examination, and regulation by the Federal Reserve and the Commissioner. The Bank is also subject to supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve and the Commissioner.
The Company and the Bank are subject to extensive regulation under federal and state laws. The regulatory framework is designed to protect the banking system as a whole and not for the protection of our shareholders and creditors.
The applicable statutes and regulations, as well as related policies, continue to be subject to changes by Congress, state legislatures, and federal and state regulators. Changes in statutes, regulations, and polices applicable to Company and the Bank (including their interpretations or implementation) cannot be predicted and could have a material adverse impact on the business and operations of the Company and the Bank.
Since our total assets exceed $10.0 billion, under current banking regulations and as discussed further below, we are subject to heightened supervision and regulation.
The following is a general summary of the material aspects of certain statutes, regulations and policies applicable to us. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the applicable statutes, regulations, and policies.
Supervision and Regulation of the Company
General. The BHC Act limits the business of a bank holding company to owning or controlling banks and engaging in other activities closely related to the business of banking. In addition, the Company also must file reports with, and provide additional information, to the Federal Reserve.
Holding Company Bank Ownership. The BHC Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before: (1) acquiring, directly or indirectly, ownership or control of any voting shares of another bank or bank holding company if, after such acquisition, it would own or control more than 5% of such shares; (2) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of another bank or bank holding company; or (3) merging with another bank holding company.
Holding Company Control of Non-Banks. With some exceptions, the BHC Act prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring or retaining direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company that is not a bank or bank holding company, or from engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks, or providing services for its subsidiaries. The principal exceptions to these prohibitions involve certain non-bank activities that are deemed activities closely related to the business of banking or of managing or controlling banks under applicable law.
Transactions with Affiliates. Bank subsidiaries of a bank holding company are subject to restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on extensions of credit to the holding company or its subsidiaries, on investments in securities, and on the use of securities as collateral for loans to any borrower. The Dodd-Frank Act further extends the definition of an “affiliate” and treats credit exposure arising from derivative transactions, securities lending and borrowing transactions involving an affiliate as covered transactions under applicable regulations. It also expands the scope of covered transactions required to be collateralized, requires collateral to be maintained at all times for covered transactions required to be collateralized, and places limits on acceptable collateral. These restrictions may limit the Company’s ability to obtain funds from the Bank for its cash needs, including funds for payments of dividends, interest, and operational expenses.
Tying Arrangements. The Company is prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with any extension of credit, sale or lease of property, or furnishing of services. For example, with certain exceptions, neither the Company nor the Bank may condition an extension of credit to a customer on either a requirement that the customer obtain additional services provided by the Company or the Bank, or an agreement by the customer to refrain from obtaining other services from a competitor.
Support of Bank Subsidiaries. Under Federal Reserve policy and the Dodd-Frank Act, the Company is required to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to the Bank. This means that the Company is required to
11
Table of Contents
commit, as necessary, capital and resources to support the Bank, including at times when the Company may not be in a financial position to provide such resources or when it may not be in the Company’s or its shareholders’ best interests to do so. Any capital loans a bank holding company makes to a bank subsidiary are subordinate to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of that subsidiary.
State Law Restrictions. As a North Carolina corporation, the Company is subject to certain limitations and restrictions under applicable North Carolina corporate laws. For example, those laws include limitations and restrictions relating to indemnification of directors, distributions to shareholders, transactions involving directors, officers, or interested shareholders, maintenance of books, records, and minutes, and observance of certain corporate formalities.
North Carolina Holding Company Laws. The Commissioner is empowered to regulate certain acquisitions of North Carolina banks and bank holding companies, issue cease and desist orders for violations of North Carolina banking laws, and promulgate rules necessary to effectuate the purposes of those laws.
Supervision and Regulation of the Bank
General. The Bank is a North Carolina state-chartered bank and is a member of the Federal Reserve. Federal banking regulations applicable to all depository financial institutions provide federal bank regulatory agencies with powers to prevent unsafe and unsound banking practices, restrict preferential loans by banks to their “insiders," require banks to keep information on loans to major shareholders and executive officers, and bar certain director and officer interlocks between financial institutions.
As a state-chartered bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the Commissioner. The Commissioner has a wide range of regulatory authority over the activities and operations of the Bank, and the Commissioner’s staff conducts periodic examinations of the Bank and its affiliates to ensure compliance with state banking laws and regulations and to assess the safety and soundness of the Bank. Among other things, the Commissioner regulates the merger of state-chartered banks, the payment of dividends, recordkeeping, types and amounts of loans and investments, the total of loans to one borrower and the establishment of branches. The Commissioner also has cease and desist powers over state-chartered banks for violations of state banking laws or regulations and for unsafe or unsound conduct that is likely to jeopardize the interest of depositors.
The Federal Reserve is authorized to approve mergers and assumptions of deposit liability transactions by member banks, and to prevent capital or surplus diminution in such transactions if the resulting, continuing, or assumed bank is an insured member bank. The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve, and accordingly the Federal Reserve also conducts periodic examinations of the Bank to assess its safety and soundness and its compliance with banking laws and regulations, and it has the power to implement changes to, or restrictions on, the Bank’s operations if it finds that a violation is occurring or is threatened.
Consumer Protection. The Bank is subject to a variety of federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations that govern its relationships and interactions with consumers, including those that impose certain disclosure requirements and that govern the manner in which the Bank takes deposits, makes and collect loans, and provides other services. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may subject the Bank to various penalties. Failure to comply with consumer protection requirements may also result in failure to obtain any required regulatory approval for merger or acquisition transactions we may wish to pursue.
Community Reinvestment. The CRA requires that, in connection with examinations of an applicable financial institution, federal bank regulators evaluate the record of those institutions in meeting the credit needs of local communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of the institution. A bank's community reinvestment record is also considered by the applicable banking agencies in evaluating mergers, acquisitions, and applications to open a branch or facility. In some cases, a bank's failure to comply with the CRA or the filing of CRA protests by interested parties during applicable comment periods can result in the denial of approval or delay of such transactions.
Insider Credit Transactions. Banks are subject to certain restrictions on extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, principal shareholders, and their related interests. Extensions of credit (1) must be made on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) and follow credit underwriting procedures that are at least as stringent as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to the lending bank; and (2) must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Banks are also subject to certain lending limits and restrictions on overdrafts to insiders. A violation of these restrictions may
12
Table of Contents
result in the assessment of substantial civil monetary penalties, regulatory enforcement actions, and other regulatory sanctions. The Dodd-Frank Act and federal regulations place additional restrictions on loans to insiders and generally prohibit loans to executive officers other than for certain specified purposes.
Regulation of Management. Federal law sets forth circumstances under which officers or directors of a bank may be removed by the bank's federal supervisory agency, and generally prohibits management personnel of a bank from serving as directors or in other management positions of another financial institution whose assets exceed a specified amount or which has an office within a specified geographic area.
Safety and Soundness Standards. Certain non-capital safety and soundness standards also are imposed upon banks. These standards cover, among other things, internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, such other operational and managerial standards as the applicable regulator determines to be appropriate, and standards for asset quality, earnings, regulatory capital and liquidity. In addition, each bank must implement a comprehensive written information security program that includes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the institution's size and complexity and the nature and scope of its activities. The program must be designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information, protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information, and ensure the proper disposal of customer and consumer information. A bank that fails to meet these standards may be required to submit a compliance plan or be subject to regulatory sanctions, including restrictions on growth.
Inspections. The Federal Reserve conducts periodic inspections of bank holding companies, such as the Company. In general, the objectives of this inspection program are to ascertain whether the financial strength of a bank holding company is maintained on an ongoing basis and to determine the effects or consequences of transactions between a bank holding company or its non-banking subsidiaries and its bank subsidiaries. The inspection type and frequency typically varies depending on asset size, complexity of the organization, and the bank holding company's rating at its last inspection.
Examinations. Banks are subject to periodic examinations by their primary regulators. In assessing a bank's condition, bank examinations have evolved from reliance on transaction testing to a risk-focused approach. These examinations are extensive and cover the entire breadth of the operations of a bank. Examinations alternate between the federal and state bank regulatory agencies, and in some cases they may occur on a combined schedule. The frequency of consumer compliance and CRA examinations is linked to the size of the institution and its compliance and CRA ratings of its most recent examinations. However, the examination authority of the Federal Reserve and the Commissioner allow examinations of supervised institutions as frequently as deemed necessary based on the condition of the institution or as a result of certain triggering events.
Dividends
A principal source of the Company's cash is from dividends received from the Bank, which are subject to regulation and limitation. As a general rule, regulatory authorities may prohibit banks from paying dividends in a manner that would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice. For example, paying dividends that deplete a bank's capital base to an inadequate level is typically deemed an unsafe and unsound banking practice. In addition, a bank may not pay cash dividends that would reduce the amount of its capital to less than minimum applicable regulatory capital requirements. North Carolina banking law also places limitations upon the payment of dividends by North Carolina banks.
Rules adopted in accordance with Basel III also impose limitations on the Bank's ability to pay dividends. In general, these rules limit the Bank's ability to pay dividends unless the Bank's common equity conservation buffer exceeds the minimum required capital ratio by at least 2.5% of risk-weighted assets.
The Federal Reserve has also issued a policy statement expressing the view that although no specific regulations restrict dividend payments by bank holding companies other than state corporate laws, a bank holding company should not pay cash dividends unless its earnings for the past year are sufficient to cover both the cash dividends and a prospective rate of earnings retention that is consistent with the bank holding company's capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition. A bank holding company's ability to pay dividends may also be restricted if a subsidiary bank becomes under-capitalized. These various regulatory policies may affect the Company's and the Bank's ability to pay dividends or otherwise engage in capital distributions.
13
Table of Contents
Dodd-Frank Act
General. The Dodd-Frank Act and its related regulations significantly changed the bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, deposit, investment, trading, and operating activities of banks and bank holding companies, including the Bank and the Company. Some of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that impact the Company's and the Bank's business and operations are summarized below.
Corporate Governance. The Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded companies to provide their shareholders with a non-binding shareholder vote on executive compensation, a non-binding shareholder vote on the frequency of such vote, disclosure of "golden parachute" arrangements in connection with specified change in control transactions, and a non-binding shareholder vote on golden parachute arrangements in connection with these change in control transactions. The SEC has adopted rules mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act that require a public company to disclose the ratio of the compensation of its CEO to the median compensation of its employees and a comparison of executive compensation to the market performance of the Company's stock. These rules are intended to provide shareholders with information that they can use to evaluate executive compensation.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB and empowered it to exercise broad rule making, supervision, and enforcement authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws. The Bank is subject to the direct supervision of the CFPB. The CFPB focuses on risks to consumers and compliance with federal consumer financial laws, the markets in which firms operate and risks to consumers posed by activities in those markets, depository institutions that offer a wide variety of consumer financial products and services, and non-depository companies that offer one or more consumer financial products or services.
The consumer financial laws administered by the CFPB apply to all banks and include, among other things, the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. Abusive acts or practices are defined as those that materially interfere with a consumer’s ability to understand a term or condition of a consumer financial product or service or take unreasonable advantage of a consumer’s lack of financial savvy, inability to protect himself in the selection or use of consumer financial products or services, or reasonable reliance on a covered entity to act in the consumer’s interests. The CFPB can issue cease and desist orders against banks and other entities that violate Federal consumer financial laws. The CFPB also may institute a civil action against an entity in violation of those consumer financial laws in order to impose a civil penalty or injunction.
Interchange Fees. The Bank is subject to limitations on interchange fees under the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act (the "Durbin Amendment"). The Durbin Amendment rules establish a maximum permissible interchange fee for an electronic debt transaction equal to the sum of $0.21 per transaction and five basis points multiplied by the value of the transaction. The rules also allow for an upward adjustment of no more than $0.01 to an issuer’s debit card interchange fee if the issuer develops and implements policies and procedures reasonably designed to achieve certain fraud prevention standards.
FDIC Insurance
As an FDIC insured depository institution, the Bank's deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the DIF which is generally $250,000. For this protection, each insured bank pays a quarterly statutory assessment and is subject to the rules and regulations of the FDIC.
The FDIC insurance premium is based on an institution’s total assets minus its Tier 1 capital, and premiums are determined based on its capital, supervisory ratings, and other factors. Premium rates generally may increase if the DIF is strained due to the cost of bank failures and the number of troubled banks. In addition, if a bank experiences financial distress, operates in an unsafe or unsound manner, or is subject to a regulatory agreement or order, its deposit premiums may increase. The Dodd-Frank Act made banks with $10 billion or more in total assets responsible for increasing the DIF reserve ratio from 1.15% to 1.35% if necessary. Accordingly, the Bank's premiums may increase from time to time if the FDIC needs to increase assessments in order to replenish the fund and restore the DIF reserve ratio to 1.35%.
In December 2023, the FDIC approved a final rule implementing a special assessment to replenish the DIF reserve ratio. Based upon the terms of the special assessment, the Bank was not required to pay at the increased assessment rate.
14
Table of Contents
Legislative and Regulatory Guidance and Developments
Regulatory Capital Requirement under Basel III. The Company and the Bank are subject to the Basel III regulatory capital rules that became fully phased-in as of January 1, 2019.
Under Basel III, CET1 is comprised of common stock and related surplus, plus retained earnings, and is reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets, net of associated deferred tax liabilities. Tier I capital is comprised of CET1 capital plus additional elements, such as trust preferred securities, which the Company includes in Tier 1 capital. Total capital is comprised of Tier I capital plus certain adjustments, the largest of which for the Company and the Bank is the ACL. Risk-weighted assets refer to the on- and off-balance sheet exposures of the Company and the Bank, adjusted for their related risk levels using formulas set forth in Federal Reserve regulations.
The Basel III capital rules include a “capital conservation buffer,” composed entirely of CET1, on top of these minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. The Company and the Bank are required to maintain the following minimum capital ratios:
•4.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets, plus the capital conservation buffer, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0%;
•6.0% Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets, plus the capital conservation buffer, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier I capital ratio of at least 8.5%;
•8.0% total capital to risk-weighted assets, plus the capital conservation buffer, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of at least 10.5%; and
•4.0%% Tier I leverage ratio.
In addition to the minimum capital requirements described above, the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action also contains specific capital guidelines for a bank’s classification as “well capitalized.” The current specific guidelines are as follows:
•CET1 Capital Ratio of at least 6.5%;
•Tier I Capital Ratio of at least 8.0%;
•Total Capital Ratio of at least 10.0%; and a
•Leverage Ratio of at least 5.0%.
If a bank falls below “well capitalized” status in any of these four ratios, it must ask for FDIC permission to originate or renew brokered deposits.
Financial Privacy and Cybersecurity. The federal banking regulators have adopted rules that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to non-affiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to a non-affiliated third party. These regulations affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified financial companies and conveyed to outside vendors. In addition, consumers may also prevent disclosure of certain information among affiliated companies that is assembled or used to determine eligibility for a product or service, such as that shown on consumer credit reports and asset and income information from applications. Consumers also have the option to direct banks and other financial institutions not to share information about transactions and experiences with affiliated companies for the purpose of marketing products or services.
Under various policy statements, financial institutions should design multiple layers of security controls to establish lines of defense and to ensure that their risk management processes also address the risk posed by compromised customer credentials, including security measures to reliably authenticate customers accessing internet-based services of the financial institution. Additionally, management is expected to maintain sufficient business continuity planning processes to ensure the rapid recovery, resumption, and maintenance of the institution’s operations after a cyber-attack involving destructive malware. A financial institution is also expected to develop appropriate processes to enable recovery of data and business operations and address rebuilding network capabilities and restoring data if the institution or its critical service providers fall victim to this type of cyber-attack. The Company has multiple information security programs that reflect the requirements of this guidance. If, however, we fail to observe the regulatory guidance in the future, we could be subject to various regulatory sanctions, including financial penalties.
15
Table of Contents
A banking organization is required to notify its primary federal regulators as soon as possible and within 36 hours after identifying a “computer-security incident” that the banking organization believes in good faith is reasonably likely to materially disrupt or degrade its business or operations in a manner that would, among other things, jeopardize the viability of its operations, result in customers being unable to access their deposit and other accounts, result in a material loss of revenue, profit or stock price, or pose a threat to the financial stability of the U.S.
The SEC cybersecurity disclosure rules for public companies require disclosures regarding cybersecurity risk management (including the role of the Board in overseeing cybersecurity risks, management’s role and expertise in assessing and managing cybersecurity risks, and processes for assessing, identifying and managing cybersecurity risks) in annual reports. These cybersecurity disclosure rules also require the disclosure of material cybersecurity incidents in a Form 8-K, generally within four business days of determining an incident is material. Refer to Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and Item 1C, "Cybersecurity," for additional disclosures related to cybersecurity.
In the ordinary course of business, we rely on electronic communications and information systems to conduct our operations and to store sensitive data. We employ an in-depth, layered, defensive approach that leverages people, processes, and technology to manage and maintain cybersecurity controls. We employ a variety of preventative and detective tools to monitor, block, and provide alerts regarding suspicious activity, as well as to report on any suspected advanced persistent threats. Notwithstanding the strength of our defensive measures, the threat from cyber-attacks is severe, attacks are sophisticated and increasing in volume, and attackers respond rapidly to changes in defensive measures. While to date we have not detected a significant compromise, the risks of significant data loss or any material financial losses related to cybersecurity attacks are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future due to the rapidly evolving nature and sophistication of these threats. Additional discussion of our cybersecurity risk management process and strategy are contained in Item 1C. of this Report.
Anti-Money Laundering and the USA Patriot Act. The BSA requires all financial institutions to establish a risk-based system of internal controls reasonably designed to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism; sets forth various recordkeeping and reporting requirements (such as reporting suspicious activities that might signal criminal activity); and mandates certain due diligence procedures and "know your customer" documentation. The Patriot Act substantially broadened the scope of United States anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations on financial institutions; creating new crimes and penalties; and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Financial institutions are also prohibited from entering into specified financial transactions and account relationships and must use enhanced due diligence procedures in their dealings with certain types of high-risk customers and implement a written customer identification program. Financial institutions must take certain steps to assist government agencies in detecting and preventing money laundering and report certain types of suspicious transactions. Regulatory authorities routinely examine financial institutions for compliance with these obligations, and failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious financial, legal and reputational consequences for the institution, including causing applicable bank regulatory authorities not to approve merger or acquisition transactions when regulatory approval is required or to prohibit such transactions even if approval is not required. Regulatory authorities have imposed cease and desist orders and civil money penalties against institutions found to be violating these obligations.
The AML, which amended the BSA, was intended to be a comprehensive reform and modernization of the United States bank secrecy and anti-money laundering laws. Among other things, it codifies a risk-based approach to anti-money laundering compliance for financial institutions; requires the development of standards for evaluating technology and internal processes for BSA compliance; and expands enforcement- and investigation-related authority, including increasing available sanctions for certain BSA violations and instituting BSA whistleblower incentives and protections.
Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation. The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals, and others which are administered by OFAC. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal and reputational consequences, including causing applicable bank regulatory authorities not to approve merger or acquisition transactions when regulatory approval is required or to prohibit such transactions even if approval is not required.
Community Reinvestment Act. In October 2023, the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC issued a final rule to amend their regulations implementing the CRA. The rule would have materially revised the current CRA framework, including the assessment areas in which a bank is evaluated to include activities associated with online and mobile
16
Table of Contents
banking, the tests used to evaluate the bank in its assessment areas, new methods of calculating credit for lending, investment and service activities, and additional data collection and reporting requirements. The rule would have resulted in a significant increase in the thresholds for large banks to receive “Outstanding” ratings in the future. Most of the provisions of the rule were scheduled to become applicable on January 1, 2026. Reporting of the collected data would be required in 2027.
The 2023 rule was preliminarily enjoined in March 2024, following legal challenge. In July 2025, the Federal Reserve, the OCC and the FDIC proposed to rescind the 2023 rule and replace it with the prior CRA regulations. The Federal Reserve continues to apply the 1995 CRA regulations.
Incentive Compensation. The federal bank regulatory agencies comprehensive guidance on incentive compensation policies are intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of financial institutions are not detrimental to the safety and soundness of such institutions by encouraging excessive risk-taking. This guidance covers all employees who have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of a financial institution, either individually or as part of a group, and is based upon the key principles that a financial institution’s incentive compensation arrangements should (1) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the institution’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks; (2) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management; and (3) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the financial institution’s board of directors.
As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, U.S. banking agencies have jointly issued comprehensive regulations or guidance designed to ensure that incentive compensation policies do not undermine the safety and soundness of banking organizations by encouraging teammates to take imprudent risks. This guidance significantly affects the amount, form, and context of incentive compensation that may be provided to teammates and could negatively affect the Company’s ability to compete for talent relative to non-banking companies. The SEC finalized its incentive compensation clawback rule which may result in additional costs and restrictions on the form of the Company’s incentive compensation.
Federal Securities Laws. The common stock of the Company is registered with the SEC under the Exchange Act and the Company is subject to the reporting, information disclosure, proxy solicitation, insider trading limits and other requirements imposed on public companies by the SEC under the Exchange Act. This includes limits on sales of stock by certain insiders and the filing of insider ownership reports with the SEC. The SEC and NASDAQ have adopted regulations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Act that apply to the Company as a NASDAQ-traded, public company, which seek to improve corporate governance, provide enhanced penalties for financial reporting improprieties and improve the reliability of disclosures in SEC filings.
Digital Asset Regulation
Although the federal banking and securities agencies are in the process of considering regulations governing the digital asset activities of banking organizations, it is not expected that such regulations will be issued until the third quarter of 2026. The existing supervisory framework dictates that, in order to effectively identify and manage digital asset-related risks and obtain supervisory non-objection to the proposed engagement in digital asset activities, banking organizations must implement appropriate risk management practices, including with respect to board and management oversight, policies and procedures, risk assessments, internal controls and monitoring.
Future Legislation and Regulation
Congress may enact legislation from time to time that affects the regulation of the financial services industry, and state legislatures may enact legislation from time to time affecting the regulation of financial institutions chartered by or operating in those states. Federal and state regulatory agencies governing the Company and the Bank also periodically propose and adopt changes to their regulations or change the manner in which existing regulations are applied. The substance or impact of pending or future legislation or regulation, or the application thereof, cannot be predicted, although enactment of future legislation or the issuance of new regulations could impact the regulatory structure under which we operate and may significantly increase costs, impede the efficiency of internal business processes, require an increase in regulatory capital, require modifications to business strategy, and limit the ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner, or otherwise adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
17
Table of Contents
Available Information
We maintain a corporate internet site at www.LocalFirstBank.com, which contains a link within the “Investor Relations” section of the site to each of our filings with the SEC, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, as well as our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. These filings are available, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. These filings can also be accessed at the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov. Information included on our internet site is not incorporated by reference into this Report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to other information contained in this Report that may affect us, the risk factors summarized below, as well as any cautionary language in this Report, provide examples of the most significant risks, uncertainties, and events that could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our operating results and financial condition. In addition to the risks and uncertainties described below, other risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently deem to be immaterial, also may materially or adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The value or market price of our common stock could decline due to any of these identified or other unidentified risks.
Risks Related to Our Business
Changes and instability in economic conditions, geopolitical matters and financial markets, including a contraction of economic activity including a possible recession, could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our success is impacted, to a certain extent by global, domestic and local economic and political conditions, as well as governmental monetary policies. More specifically, the local economic conditions of the Carolinas and the specific markets in which we operate have a significant impact on the demand for our products and services, as well as the ability of our customers to repay loans to us. Conditions such as changes in interest rates, money supply, levels of employment and other factors beyond our control may have a negative impact on economic activity. A deterioration in economic conditions, including an economic recession, may adversely affect our asset quality, deposit levels and loan demand and, therefore, our earnings. In particular, interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including global, domestic and local economic conditions and the policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, specifically, the Federal Reserve. Throughout 2022 and 2023, the FOMC raised the target range for the federal funds rate. During 2024 and 2025, the FOMC lowered the target range for the federal funds rate. As of December 31, 2025, the target range was 3.50% to 3.75%. Although economic forecasts vary, the FOMC has indicated an expectation of one 25 basis point rate cut during 2026. Economic forecasts include a mix of positive and negative factors concerning unemployment, inflation, real estate values and other components. Economic weakness, increased unemployment, or persistent inflation could lead to decreased business and consumer confidence and weaker-than-anticipated spending, thereby leading to possible adverse impacts to our business including asset quality, deposit levels, loan demand and results of operations.
We also face credit risk arising from economic and geopolitical conditions, among other forms of risk, that our customers will not repay their loans. As we have a significant amount of real estate loans, decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral, which, in turn, can adversely affect the value of our loan and investment portfolios. CRE values continue to fluctuate and the outlook for CRE remains dependent on the broader economic environment and, specifically, how major subsectors respond to ongoing economic and behavioral developments. Some economic indicators suggest that CRE prices remain high relative to fundamentals and US market delinquency rates are elevated. Credit performance is susceptible to economic and market forces. Instability and uncertainty in the commercial and residential real estate markets, as well as in the broader commercial and retail credit markets, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, inflation risk can have an adverse impact on our customers ability to repay their loans. Our customers may be affected by inflation pressures and the rising costs of goods and services used in their households and businesses, which could have a negative impact on their cash flows and their ability to repay their loans to us.
18
Table of Contents
Lending activities involve substantial credit risk.
We offer a variety of loan products, including residential mortgage, consumer, construction, and commercial loans, with a majority of our portfolio consisting of commercial and industrial loans and commercial loans secured by commercial real estate. Most of our commercial business and CRE loans are made to small business or middle-market customers. These businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities and have a heightened vulnerability to economic conditions. Additionally, these loans may increase concentration risk as to industry or collateral securing our loans. Future growth or acquisitions of banks with a portfolio composition different from ours could cause our portfolio mix to change.
Lending generally involves various degrees of risk depending on the facts and circumstances of the loan and borrower. If general economic conditions in the market areas in which we operate negatively impact our customers, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected. Further, the deterioration of borrowers' businesses (from a variety of factors including, but not limited to: tariff impact, government policy change, change in end customer behavior, etc.) may hinder their ability to repay their loans with the Company, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Risk of loan defaults is unavoidable in the banking industry. We attempt to limit exposure to this risk by monitoring carefully the amount of loans in specific industries and by exercising prudent lending practices. However, the risk that substantial credit losses could result in reduced earnings or losses cannot be eliminated.
Our ACL may not be adequate to cover actual losses.
CECL requires that estimated credit losses are reflected in the income statement in the period of origination or acquisition of a loan, with changes in expected credit losses due to further credit deterioration or improvement reflected in the periods in which the expectation changes. CECL also requires significant management judgment that is supported by models, assumptions, and data elements which may be subjective in nature or, as in the case of macroeconomic forecasts, be volatile from period to period. These factors involve model risk and are complex and could impact the Company's results of operations and capital levels, particularly in times of economic uncertainty or other unforeseen circumstances.
CECL requires a high degree of judgment related to risk characteristics, asset classification, loss drivers, impact of historical loss data and other factors to develop an estimate of expected lifetime losses. The CECL methodology also may result in perceived small changes to future forecasts having a disproportionate impact on the ACL and resulting provision for loan losses from period to period.
Because of the extensive use of estimates and assumptions, our actual loan losses could differ, possibly significantly, from our estimate and it is possible that the ACL will need to be increased for changes in economic forecasts, credit deterioration, or regulatory feedback. An increase in the ACL could materially and adversely affect our earnings, profitability and capital levels.
We are subject to interest rate risk, which could negatively impact earnings.
Net interest income is the most significant component of our earnings. Our net interest income results from the difference between the yields we earn on our interest-earning assets, primarily loans and investments, and the rates that we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, primarily deposits and borrowings. When interest rates change, the yields we earn on our interest-earning assets and the rates we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities do not necessarily move in tandem with each other because of the difference between their maturities and repricing characteristics and which can negatively impact net interest income.
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, influence not only the interest we receive on loans and investments and the amount of interest we pay on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect (i) our ability to originate loans and obtain deposits; (ii) the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities; and (iii) the average duration of our mortgage portfolio and other interest-earning assets. Throughout 2022 and 2023, the FOMC raised the target range for the federal funds rate. During 2024 and 2025, the FOMC lowered the target range for the federal funds rate. As of December 31, 2025, the target range was 3.50% to 3.75%. It remains uncertain whether then FOMC will further decrease the federal funds rate to attain a monetary policy appropriate to keep inflation at normalized levels, leave the rate at its current level for a lengthy period of time or if it will instead increase the target range. Additionally, other interest rates may not move in a consistent manner with the federal
19
Table of Contents
funds rate.
Although not necessarily expected in 2026, if the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, our net interest income, and therefore earnings, would generally be adversely affected. Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on our loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings. Although management believes it has implemented effective asset and liability management strategies to reduce the potential effects of changes in interest rates on our results of operations, any substantial, unexpected, prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, and any related economic downturn, especially domestically and in the markets in which we operate, may adversely affect our asset quality, deposit levels, loan demand and results of operations. Also, our interest rate risk modeling techniques and assumptions likely may not fully predict or capture the impact of actual interest rate changes on our balance sheet.
Our financial instruments expose us to certain market risks, including changing interest rates, and may increase the volatility of AOCI and total equity.
We hold certain financial instruments measured at fair value, primarily our AFS investments securities. For those financial instruments measured at fair value, we are required to recognize the changes in the fair value of such instruments in AOCI each quarter which impacts our total equity. Fair value can be affected by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including our credit position, interest rate volatility, capital markets volatility, and other economic factors. Accordingly, the application of fair value accounting for our AFS securities may cause AOCI and total equity to be more volatile than would be suggested by our underlying performance.
Liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and jeopardize our financial condition.
Liquidity is essential to our business. We rely on a number of different sources in order to meet our potential liquidity demands. Our primary sources of liquidity are increases in deposit accounts, cash flows from loan payments, and our securities portfolio. Borrowings also provide us with a source of funds to meet liquidity demands. An inability to raise funds through from these or other sources could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity.
Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities, or on terms which are acceptable to us, could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry or economy in general. Factors that could detrimentally impact our access to liquidity sources include adverse regulatory action against us or a decrease in the level of our business activity as a result of a downturn in the markets in which our loans are concentrated. Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as a disruption in the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry in light of the recent turmoil faced by banking organizations or deterioration in credit markets.
The proportion of our deposit account balances that exceed FDIC insurance limits may expose the Bank to enhanced liquidity risk in times of financial distress.
In its assessment of the larger bank failures that occurred in the first and second quarters of 2023, the FDIC concluded that a significant contributing factor to the failures of the institutions was the proportion of the deposits held by each institution that exceeded FDIC insurance limits. Uninsured deposits historically have been viewed by the FDIC as less stable than insured deposits. In July 2023, the federal banking agencies issued an interagency policy statement to underscore the importance of robust liquidity risk management and contingency funding planning. In the policy statement, the regulators noted that banks should maintain actionable contingency funding plans that take into account a range of possible stress scenarios, assess the stability of their funding and maintain a broad range of funding sources, ensure that collateral is available for borrowing, and review and revise contingency funding plans periodically and more frequently as market conditions and strategic initiatives change.
If a significant portion of our deposits were to be withdrawn within a short period of time such that additional sources of funding would be required to meet withdrawal demands, the Bank may be unable to obtain funding at favorable terms, which may have an adverse effect on our net interest margin. Moreover, obtaining adequate funding to meet our deposit obligations may be more challenging during periods of elevated prevailing interest rates, such as the present period. Our ability to attract depositors during a time of actual or perceived distress or instability in the marketplace may be limited. Further, interest rates paid for borrowings generally exceed the interest rates paid on deposits. This spread may be exacerbated by higher prevailing interest rates. In addition, because our AFS investment securities lose value when interest rates rise, after-tax proceeds resulting from the sale of such assets
20
Table of Contents
may be diminished during periods when interest rates are elevated. For additional information regarding uninsured deposits and liquidity, see Deposits and Liquidity sections of 2025 MD&A Item 7 following.
A failure in or breach of our operational or security systems, or those of our vendors, could disrupt business operations, result in the loss of critical and confidential information, and adversely impact our reputation and results of operations.
Global cybersecurity threats and incidents can range from uncoordinated individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to information technology systems to sophisticated and targeted measures, known as advanced persistent threats, directed at us and/or our third party service providers. While we have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, these types of threats and incidents, none of them to date have been material to the Company. Although we employ comprehensive measures to prevent, detect, address, and mitigate these threats (including access controls, employee training, data encryption, vulnerability assessments, continuous monitoring of our networks and systems and maintenance of backup and protective systems), cybersecurity incidents, depending on their nature and scope, could potentially result in the misappropriation, destruction, corruption or unavailability of critical data and confidential or proprietary information (our own or that of third parties) and the disruption of our business operations. Any successful cyberattack may subject us to regulatory investigations, litigation (including class action litigation) or enforcement, or require the payment of regulatory fines or penalties or undertaking costly remediation efforts with respect to third parties affected by a cybersecurity incident, all or any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations and damage our reputation. In addition, we cannot guarantee that any costs and liabilities incurred in relation to an attack or incident will be covered by our existing insurance policies or that applicable insurance will be available to us in the future on economically reasonable terms or at all.
As a financial institution, our operations rely heavily on the secure data processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information to conduct our business. Our daily operations depend on the operational effectiveness of our technology. Any failure, interruption, or breach in security of our computer systems or outside vendor technology could result in failures or disruptions in general ledger, deposit, loan, customer relationship management, and other systems leading to inaccurate financial records. While we have disaster recovery and other policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of any failure, interruption, or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions, or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
In addition, the Bank provides its customers the ability to bank online and through mobile banking. The secure transmission of confidential information over the internet is a critical element of online and mobile banking. While we use qualified third party vendors to test and audit our network, our network could become vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes, and other security issues. The Bank may be required to spend significant capital and other resources to alleviate problems caused by security breaches or computer viruses. To the extent that the Bank’s activities or the activities of its customers involve the storage and transmission of confidential information, security breaches and viruses could expose the Bank to claims, litigation, and other potential liabilities. Any inability to prevent security breaches or computer viruses could also cause existing customers to lose confidence in the Bank’s systems and could adversely affect its reputation and its ability to generate deposits.
We rely on certain external vendors.
We are reliant upon certain external vendors to provide products and services necessary to facilitate our day-to-day operations, including core data processing and other systems such as online banking. Accordingly, our operations are exposed to risk that these vendors will not perform in accordance with applicable contractual arrangements or service level agreements. Our vendors could also be the source of an attack on, or breach of, our operational systems. Any failures, interruptions, or security breaches, or any perception that our security measures are deficient, could negatively impact our operations. We maintain a system of policies and procedures designed to monitor vendor risks including, among other things, changes in the vendor’s organizational structure, financial condition, and support for existing products and services. While we believe these policies and procedures help to mitigate risk, and our vendors are not the sole source of service, the failure of an external vendor to perform in accordance with applicable contractual arrangements or the service level agreements could be disruptive to our operations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business and its financial condition and results of
21
Table of Contents
operations. Additionally, if our third party vendors encounter difficulties or if we have difficulty in communicating with such third parties, it will significantly affect our ability to adequately process and account for customer transactions, which would significantly affect our business operations, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, result in a violation of privacy or other laws, and expose us to civil litigation, enforcement actions by governmental agencies, regulatory fine or other damages or losses, including those not covered by insurance.
In the normal course of business, we process large volumes of transactions involving millions of dollars. If our internal controls fail to work as expected, we could experience significant losses.
We process large volumes of transactions on a daily basis involving millions of dollars and are exposed to numerous types of operational risk, including the risk of fraud by persons inside or outside the Company, the execution of unauthorized transactions by employees, errors relating to transaction processing and systems, and breaches of the internal control system and compliance requirements. This risk also includes potential legal actions that could arise as a result of an operational deficiency or as a result of noncompliance with applicable regulatory standards.
As part of these transactions, we settle funds on behalf of financial institutions, other businesses and consumers and receive funds from clients, card issuers, payment networks and consumers on a daily basis for a variety of transaction types. Transactions we facilitate include wire transfers, debit card, credit card and electronic bill payment transactions, supporting consumers, financial institutions and other businesses. These payment activities rely upon the technology infrastructure that facilitates the verification of activity with counterparties and the facilitation of the payment. If the continuity of our operations or integrity of our processing were compromised, this could result in a financial loss to us due to a failure in payment facilitation. In addition, we may issue credit to consumers, financial institutions or other businesses as part of the funds settlement. A default on this credit by a counterparty could result in a financial loss to us.
We establish and maintain systems of internal operational controls that provide us with timely and accurate information about our level of operational risk. These systems have been designed to manage operational risk at appropriate, cost-effective levels. Procedures exist that are designed to ensure that policies relating to conduct, ethics, and business practices are followed. We continually monitor and improve our internal controls, data processing systems, and corporate-wide processes and procedures, but there can be no assurance that future losses will not occur.
We are subject to extensive regulation, which could have an adverse effect on our operations.
The Bank is subject to extensive regulation, examination, and supervision by various federal and state regulatory agencies, including the Commissioner and the Federal Reserve. This regulation, examination, and supervision is intended primarily to enhance the safe and sound operation of the Bank and for the protection of the DIF and our depositors and borrowers, rather than for holders of our equity securities and creditors. In the past, our business has been materially affected by these regulations and our compliance with these regulations is costly. Should we fail to comply with our regulatory requirements, federal and state regulators could impose restrictions on our activities, which could materially and adversely affect our operations and financial condition. This trend is likely to continue in the future.
Laws and regulations applicable to the banking industry change frequently and may continue to change, and we cannot predict the effects of any such changes. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on operations, the classification of our assets, and the determination of the level of ACL. Changes in the regulations that apply to us, or changes in our compliance with regulations, could have a material impact on our operations.
We are subject to complex and ever-changing laws and regulations governing the privacy and security of personal information concerning our customers, prospective, current, and former customers, and employees. These federal and state laws and regulations govern our obligations in the event of a security breach, breach of personal information, computer-security incident, and similar events. States have been actively passing new privacy laws, and this trend is likely to continue such that the privacy and security laws and regulations that may apply to us will continue to grow and change.
22
Table of Contents
We might be required to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available or may not be available on terms acceptable to us when it is needed.
We are required to maintain adequate capital levels to support our operations. In the future, we might need to raise additional capital to support growth, absorb loan losses, or meet more stringent capital requirements. Our ability to raise additional capital will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot be certain of our ability to raise additional capital in the future if needed or on terms acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to conduct our business could be materially impaired.
Consumers may decide not to use banks or specifically our Company to complete their financial transactions.
The banking industry is highly competitive. Technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions through alternative methods that historically have involved banks. For example, consumers can now maintain funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts, mutual funds, or general-purpose reloadable prepaid cards, or digital assets such as stablecoins, rather than in bank deposit accounts.
Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries, known as “disintermediation,” could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. To the extent that other banks offer products or services that facilitate the minting or issuance of stablecoins backed by customer deposits, customers may convert bank deposits into stablecoins, which could accelerate deposit outflows, increase deposit volatility and heighten liquidity risk, particularly during periods of market stress. The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost of deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, we face substantial competition in all areas of our operations from a variety of different competitors, both within and beyond our principal markets, many of which are larger and may have more financial resources. Such competitors primarily include national, regional, and online banks within the various markets in which we operate. We also face competition from many other types of financial institutions, including, without limitation, thrifts, credit unions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and other financial intermediaries, such as online lenders and banks.
As customer preferences and expectations continue to evolve, technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems. Banks, securities firms, and insurance companies can merge under the umbrella of a financial holding company, which can offer virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting), and merchant banking. Many of our non-bank competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. Additionally, due to their size, many competitors may be able to achieve economies of scale and, as a result, may offer a broader range of products and services as well as better pricing for those products and services than we can.
Our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including, among other things:
•our ability to develop, maintain, and build upon long-term customer relationships based on top quality service, high ethical standards, and safe, sound assets;
•our ability to expand our market position;
•the scope, relevance, and pricing of products and services offered to meet customer needs and demands;
•the rate at which we introduce new products and services relative to our competitors;
•customer satisfaction with our level of service;
•industry and general economic trends; and
•the ability to keep pace with technological change and to invest in technological improvements to meet customer demand and create operational efficiencies.
Failure to perform in any of these areas could significantly weaken our competitive position, which could adversely affect our growth and profitability, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
23
Table of Contents
Negative public opinion regarding our Company and the financial services industry in general, could damage our reputation and adversely impact our earnings.
Reputation risk, or the risk to our business, earnings, and capital from negative public opinion regarding our Company and the financial services industry in general, is inherent in our business. Negative public opinion can result from actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, corporate governance and acquisitions, and from actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to those activities. Negative public opinion can adversely affect our ability to keep and attract clients and employees and can expose us to litigation and regulatory action. Although we have taken steps to minimize reputation risk in dealing with our clients and communities, this risk always will be present given the nature of our business. In addition, the financial stability of other financial institutions could adversely impact our ability to engage in routine funding transactions. Defaults by, or even rumors or questions about one or more financials institutions can lead to market-wide liquidity challenges and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions.
New lines of business or new products and services may subject us to additional risk.
From time to time, we may implement new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. We may invest significant time and resources in these efforts. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives, and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business and/or a new product or service. Furthermore, any new line of business and/or new product or service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of our system of internal controls. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business and/or new products or services could have a material adverse effect on our business and, in turn, our financial condition and results of operations.
Our reported financial results are impacted by management’s selection of accounting methods and certain assumptions and estimates.
Our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to the way we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. Our management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many of these accounting policies and methods so they comply with GAAP and reflect management’s judgment of the most appropriate manner to report our financial condition and results. In some cases, management must select the accounting policy or method to apply from two or more alternatives, any of which may be reasonable under the circumstances, yet may result in reporting materially different results than would have been reported under a different alternative.
Certain accounting policies are critical to presenting our financial condition and results. They require management to make difficult, subjective, or complex judgments about matters that are uncertain. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates. These critical accounting estimates include: the allowance for credit losses; business combinations, and goodwill and other intangible assets.
Our internal controls may be ineffective.
Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the controls are met. Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We may not be able to attract and retain skilled employees, adversely affecting our business.
The success of our business is highly dependent on the talents and efforts of our employees. Additionally, relationships between our key employees and the customers with whom they maintain relationships contribute to our success. Therefore, our success depends on our ability to attract and retain skilled people. Competition for the best people can be intense, and we may not be able to hire or retain sufficiently qualified people. The unexpected loss of services of one or more of our key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business because of their skills, knowledge of our markets, years of industry experience, and/or the difficulty of promptly finding
24
Table of Contents
qualified replacement personnel. The loss of business if the customers were to follow that employee to a competitor or otherwise choose to transition to another financial services provider could adversely impact our business. While we believe we have strong relationships with our key personnel, there is no guarantee that all of our key personnel will remain with our organization.
We may be adversely affected by risks associated with potential or completed acquisitions.
As part of our growth strategy, we regularly evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities and conduct due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions and financial services companies. As a result, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt, or equity securities may occur at any time. We seek merger and acquisition partners that are culturally similar, have experienced management, and possess either significant market presence or have potential for improved profitability through financial management, economies of scale, or expanded services.
Acquiring other financial institutions, financial services companies, or branches involves potential adverse impact to our financial results and various other risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things:
•Incurring time and expense associated with identifying and evaluating potential acquisitions and negotiating potential transactions, and with integrating acquired businesses, resulting in the diversion of resources from the operation of our existing businesses;
•Acquisitions typically are subject to various regulatory approvals. If we fail to receive the appropriate regulatory approvals, we will not be able to consummate acquisitions that we believe are in our best interests;
•Difficulty in estimating the value of target companies or assets and in evaluating credit, operations, management, and market risks associated with those companies or assets;
•Payment of a premium over tangible book and market values that may dilute our tangible book value and earnings per share in the short and long term;
•Potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the target company, including, without limitation, liabilities for regulatory and compliance issues and from potential litigation;
•Exposure to potential asset quality issues of the target company;
•Difficulties, inefficiencies or cost overruns associated with the integration of the operations, personnel, technologies, services, and products of acquired companies with ours. Further, expected revenue and/or operational synergies and cost savings associated with pending or recently completed acquisitions may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frame;
•Inability to realize the expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and/or other projected benefits;
•Potential disruption to our business; and
•The possible loss of key employees and customers of the target company.
Failure to successfully integrate the entities we acquire into our existing operations could increase our operating costs significantly and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If the goodwill that we recorded in connection with a business acquisition becomes impaired, it could have a significant negative impact on our profitability.
Goodwill represents the amount of consideration exchanged over the fair value of net assets we acquired in the purchase of another business. We review goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset might be impaired. At December 31, 2025, our goodwill totaled $478.8 million. While we have recorded no impairment charges since we initially recorded the goodwill, there can be no assurance that our future evaluations of goodwill will not result in findings of impairment and related write-downs, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
25
Table of Contents
We are subject to losses due to errors, omissions, or fraudulent behavior by our employees, clients, counterparties, or other third parties.
We are exposed to many types of operational risk, including the risk of fraud by employees and third parties, clerical recordkeeping errors, and transactional errors. Our business is dependent on our employees as well as third-party service providers to process a large number of increasingly complex transactions. We could be materially and adversely affected if employees, clients, counterparties, or other third parties caused an operational breakdown or failure, either as a result of human error, fraudulent manipulation, or purposeful damage to any of our operations or systems.
In deciding whether to extend credit or to enter into other transactions with clients and counterparties, we may rely on information furnished to us by or on behalf of clients and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information, which we do not independently verify. We also may rely on representations of clients and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected to the extent we rely on financial statements that do not comply with GAAP or are materially misleading, any of which could be caused by errors, omissions, or fraudulent behavior by our employees, clients, counterparties, or other third parties.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
An investment in our common stock is not an insured deposit.
Our common stock is not a bank deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC or by any other public or private entity. An investment in our common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described in this "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in this Report and is subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common stock in any company. As a result, if you acquire our common stock, you may lose some or all of your investment.
Common stock is equity and is subordinate to our existing and future indebtedness and effectively subordinated to all the indebtedness and other non-common equity claims against our subsidiaries.
Shares of our common stock are equity interests in the Company and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, shares of the common stock rank junior to all of our indebtedness and to other non-equity claims against us and our assets available to satisfy claims against us, including our liquidation. Upon liquidation, lenders and holders of our debt securities, would receive distributions of our available assets prior to holders of our common stock.
There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay cash dividends.
Although we have historically paid cash dividends on our common stock, there is no assurance that we will continue to pay cash dividends. Future payment of cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, economic conditions, and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant.
Future sales of our stock by our shareholders or the perception that those sales could occur may cause our stock price to decline.
Although our common stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FBNC,” the trading volume in our common stock is lower than that of other larger financial services companies. A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity, and orderliness depends on the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers and sellers of our common stock at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and general economic and market conditions over which we have no control. Given the comparatively lower trading volume of our common stock relative to larger institutions, significant sales of our common stock or other volatility in our shares in the public market could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline or to be lower than it otherwise might be in the absence of those sales or perceptions.
26
Table of Contents
We may issue additional shares of stock or equity derivative securities that will dilute the percentage ownership interest of existing shareholders and may dilute the book value per share of our common stock and adversely affect the terms on which we may obtain additional capital.
Subject to applicable NASDAQ rules, our Board generally has the authority, without action by or vote of the shareholders, to issue all or part of any authorized but unissued shares of stock for any corporate purpose, including issuances of equity-based incentives under or outside of our Capital compensation plans, issuances of equity in business combination transactions, and issuances of equity to raise additional capital to support growth or to otherwise strengthen our balance sheet. Any issuance of additional shares of stock or equity derivative securities will dilute the percentage ownership interest of our shareholders and may dilute the tangible book value per share of our common stock.
We may make future acquisitions, which could dilute current shareholders’ stock ownership and expose us to additional risks.
In accordance with our strategic plan, we evaluate opportunities to acquire other financial institutions, financial services companies and branch locations. Such transactions could have a material effect on our operating results and financial condition, including short- and long-term liquidity, and could require us to issue a significant number of shares of common stock or other securities and/or to use a substantial amount of cash, other liquid assets, and/or incur debt.
Our acquisition activities could involve a number of additional risks, some of which are described in more detail elsewhere in this Report and include: the possibility that expected benefits may not materialize in the timeframe expected or at all, or may be more costly to achieve; using inaccurate estimates and judgments to evaluate credit, operations, management, and market risks with respect to the target company or assets; incurring the time and expense required to integrate the operations and personnel of the combined businesses; the possibility that we will be unable to successfully implement integration strategies due to challenges associated with integrating complex systems, technology, banking offices, and other assets of the acquired company in a manner that minimizes any adverse effect on customers, suppliers, employees, and other constituencies; the possibility of regulatory approval for the acquisition being delayed, impeded, restrictively conditioned or denied due to existing or new regulatory issues surrounding the Company, the target company, the assets acquired or the proposed combined entity; and losing key employees and customers as a result of an acquisition that is poorly received.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Risk Management and Strategy
The Company recognizes the security of our banking operations is critical to protecting our customers, maintaining our reputation and preserving the value of the Company. The Board, primarily through its Risk Committee, provides direction and oversight of the enterprise-wide risk management framework of the Company, and cybersecurity represents a component of the Company’s overall approach to enterprise-wide risk management. The Company's Information Security Program establishes policies and procedures for the measurement of the effectiveness and efficiency of information security controls related to both design and operations. The Company leverages the following guidelines and frameworks to develop and maintain its Information Security Program: FFIEC Information Security IT Examination Handbook, FFIEC Business Continuity Management IT Examination Handbook, FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool, and GLBA 501(b). In general, the Company addresses cybersecurity risks through a comprehensive, cross-functional approach that is focused on confidentiality, security and availability of the information that the Company collects and stores by identifying, preventing, and mitigating cybersecurity threats and effectively responding to cyber threats when they occur.
As one of the elements of the Company’s overall enterprise-wide risk management approach, our Information Security Program is focused on the following key areas:
•Security Operation and Governance: The Board has delegated to senior management responsibility for the Information Security Program which is managed through the IT Steering Committee, which maintains alignment and appropriate insight regarding information security activities.
27
Table of Contents
•Collaborative Approach: The Company has implemented a cross-functional approach to identifying, preventing and mitigating cybersecurity threats and incidents, while also implementing controls and procedures that provide for the prompt escalation of certain cybersecurity incidents so that decisions regarding the public disclosure and reporting of such incidents can be made by management in a timely manner.
•Security Competencies: The Information Security department oversees a program of security competencies and tools designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our data . These assets represent a blend of various management (e.g., policies), operational (e.g., standards and processes), and technical controls (e.g., tools and configurations).
•Incident Response Plan: The Company has a contracted with a third-party to provides continual security monitoring 24 hours per day, seven days per week, where resources actively deliver threat analysis, vulnerability management, intrusion detection, and intrusion hunting. The Company’s Incident Response Plan helps reduce the risks related to security incidents by providing guidelines on responding to incidents.
•Third-Party Risk Management: Management of the Company’s third parties, including vendors and service providers, is conducted through a risk-based approach and the level of due diligence is driven from risk factors established by our Risk Management program. The process provides awareness and collaboration across internal teams including, but not limited to, Information Technology, Information Security and Business Continuity. In addition to ongoing monitoring of select vendors, a review is conducted on new or significantly changed third parties, applications, and technology to ensure that systems and third parties meet certain baseline requirements. This process is used to identify and monitor risks in vendor arrangements and assists management in establishing appropriate risk responses.
•Security Awareness and Education: The Company provides annual, mandatory training for personnel regarding security awareness as a means to equip the Company’s personnel with the understanding of how to properly use and protect the computing resources entrusted to them, and to communicate the Company’s information security policies, standards, processes and practices.
The Company leverages regular assessments to identify current and potential threats and vulnerabilities within the Company’s environment. Technical vulnerabilities are identified using automated vulnerability scanning tools, penetration testing, and system management tools, whereas non-technical vulnerabilities are identified via process or procedural reviews. The Company conducts a variety of assessments throughout the year, both internally and through third parties. Vulnerability assessment and penetration tests are performed on a regular basis to provide the Company with an unbiased view of its environment and controls. Vulnerabilities identified during these assessments are inventoried in a centralized tracking system and reported to management on a regular basis. A multi-step approach is applied to identify, report and remediate these vulnerabilities, and the Company adjusts its information security policies, standards, processes and practices as necessary based on the information provided by these assessments. The results of key assessments are reported in summary to the Board on an ongoing basis.
Governance
28
Table of Contents
Management Team and ultimately the Board when appropriate. We believe our Board and management, including the COO, have the appropriate expertise, background, and depth of experience to manage risks arising from cybersecurity threats, including applicable knowledge gained through industry experience, internal and external training, and periodic discussions with consultants and peers with applicable knowledge and expertise. In addition, members of our management hold varying levels of relevant cybersecurity certifications.
Item 2. Properties
The main office of the Company and Bank is located in Southern Pines, North Carolina and is owned by the Bank. The Bank’s operational departments, including accounting functions, information technology operations, loan operations, and deposit operations, are primarily housed in buildings in Greensboro, North Carolina; Dunn, North Carolina; Fletcher, North Carolina; and Troy, North Carolina, which are owned by the Bank. At December 31, 2025, the Company operated 113 bank branches. The Company owned all of its bank branch premises except 13 branch offices for which the land and buildings are leased and ten branch offices for which the land is leased but the building is owned. The Bank also leases several other office locations for administrative functions. There are no options to purchase or lease additional properties. The Company considers its facilities adequate to meet current needs and believes that lease renewals or replacement properties can be acquired as necessary to meet future needs.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Various legal proceedings may arise in the ordinary course of business and may be pending or threatened against the Company and its subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is involved in any pending legal proceedings that management believes are material to the Company or its consolidated financial position. If an exposure were to be identified, it is the Company’s policy to establish and accrue appropriate reserves during the accounting period in which a loss is deemed to be probable and the amount is determinable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Shareholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock trades on NASDAQ under the trading symbol “FBNC.” Tables have been included in Item 7 under the heading, "Selected Financial Information," which provide historic information on the market price for the Company’s common stock. As of February 19, 2026, there were approximately 3,381 shareholders of record and another approximately 24,403 shareholders whose stock is held in “street name.”
The tables in Item 7 under "Selected Financial Information" section also include information regarding cash dividends declared per share of common stock for the periods presented. For the first quarter in 2025, we declared a cash dividend of $0.22. For each quarter thereafter in 2025, we declared a cash dividend of $0.23 per common share. For the foreseeable future, it is our current intention to continue to pay regular cash dividends on a quarterly basis. However, our ability to pay future cash dividends can be restricted or eliminated by regulatory authorities.
Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans
Refer to “Additional Information Regarding the Registrant’s Equity Compensation Plans” in Item 12.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Beginning in January 2024, the Board of the Company has authorized the repurchase of up to $40 million in shares of the Company’s common stock in private transactions and open market purchases. Any such repurchases would be made pursuant to a plan approved by and containing provisions about the timing, purchase prices and quantities
29
Table of Contents
purchased determined by management in its discretion. During the year ended December 31, 2025, 24,849 shares were repurchased. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company did not make any such purchases. As of December 31, 2025, The Company had remaining authorization to purchase up to $39.0 million of outstanding stock under the program. On January 27, 2026, the Board reauthorized the repurchase of up to $40 million in shares of the Company's common stock through January 27, 2027. No repurchases of any shares of the Company's common stock were made in 2026 through the date of this Annual Report in Form 10-K.
Performance Graph
The performance graph shown below compares the Company’s cumulative total return to shareholders for the five-year period commencing December 31, 2020 and ending December 31, 2025, with the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index (reflecting overall stock market performance of small-capitalization companies), and the S&P U.S. BMI Banks Industry Group Index, as constructed by S & P Global (reflecting performance in broad market banking industry stocks). The graph and table assume that $100 was invested on December 31, 2020 in each of the Company’s common stock, the Russell 2000 Index, and the S&P U.S. BMI Banks Industry Group Index, and that all dividends were reinvested.
First Bancorp Comparison of Five-Year Total Return Performances (1)
Five Years Ended December 31, 2025
Total Return Index Values (1) December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Bancorp | $ | 100.00 | $ | 137.66 | $ | 131.93 | $ | 117.09 | $ | 142.38 | $ | 167.71 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Russell 2000 Index | 100.00 | 114.82 | 91.35 | 106.82 | 119.14 | 134.40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S&P US BMI Banks Industry Group Index | $ | 100.00 | $ | 135.97 | $ | 112.77 | $ | 123.02 | $ | 164.70 | $ | 211.47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_____________
(1)Total return indices were provided from an independent source, S&P Global Market Intelligence, New York, New York, and assume initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2020, reinvestment of dividends, and changes in market values. Total return index numerical values used in this example are for illustrative purposes only.
30
Table of Contents
Item 6. Reserved.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition
This MD&A is intended to assist readers in understanding our results of operations and changes in financial position for the past three years. It should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Item 8 of this Report. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ significantly from those anticipated in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.
Overview and 2025 Highlights
The Company is a bank holding company headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina. We provide diversified financial services primarily though the Bank, our principal subsidiary, including commercial and consumer banking services, mortgage lending, SBA lending, accounts receivable financing, and investment advisory services. As of December 31, 2025, the Bank had 113 branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and 1,353 full-time equivalent employees. We have grown organically as well as through strategic acquisitions as discussed previously in "Recent Developments and Acquisitions".
2025 Financial Highlights:
•Return on average assets was 0.89% for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to 0.63% for the prior year. Return on average common equity was 7.16% for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to 5.38% for the prior year. As discussed below, the returns for 2025 and 2024 were impacted by securities loss transactions as well as Hurricane Helene provisions.
•Total assets at December 31, 2025 were $12.7 billion, a 4.3% increase from a year earlier.
•Total loans outstanding expanded by $0.6 billion, or 7.8%, during the year. Loans totaled $8.7 billion at December 31, 2025.
•Credit quality continued to be strong with the NPA to total assets ratio at 0.30% as of December 31, 2025, consistent with December 31, 2024. Net charge offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.10% for 2025, as compared to 0.07% for the prior year.
•Capital remained strong with a total CET1 ratio of 14.10%, down from 14.35% for the prior year, and total risk-based capital ratio of 16.12% as of December 31, 2025, a decrease from 16.63% for the prior year. The decrease during 2025 in risk-based capital ratios was driven by loan growth, which carries a higher risk weight than short term investments, along with the repayment of $18.0 million of subordinated debt.
•Net income was $111.0 million, or $2.68 diluted EPS, for 2025 compared to net income of $76.2 million, or $1.84 diluted EPS, for 2024. As noted below, 2025 results were impacted by $71.6 million of securities loss from transactions that took place during the third and fourth quarter of 2025 and the $11.1 million reversal of provision related to Hurricane Helene throughout the year. See the following for discussion of changes to net income:
•Net interest income for 2025 increased $66.0 million, or 19.9%, driven by increased interest income and lower interest expense. The NIM was 3.40% for 2025, an increase of 51 basis points from the prior year.
•Total interest income increased $38.0 million in 2025 as compared to 2024, driven by higher interest income on loans of $21.1 million related to a combination of higher volumes of average balances and increased yields. Interest income on securities increased $20.5 million, primarily the result of increased yields driven by the securities loss-earnback transactions in late 2024 and the second half of 2025.
•Interest income on other interest-earning assets, primarily overnight funds, decreased $3.7 million, primarily the result of lower volumes along with the decrease in the federal funds rate.
•The 2025 decrease in interest expense of $28.0 million was driven by lower money market rates in late 2025, which resulted in repricing of our deposits and a corresponding $19.6 million decrease in
31
Table of Contents
deposit interest expense, especially in money market accounts which accounted for $7.4 million of the decrease. Additionally, interest expense on borrowings fell $8.4 million, primarily the result of average balances on outstanding borrowings.
•Provision for credit losses for 2025 of $11.5 million was down from $16.4 million in 2024 due primarily to the $13.0 million provision related to potential exposure from Hurricane Helene in 2024. Offsetting this was higher net charge offs in 2025, provisions for higher loan growth in 2025 and an increase in the level of unfunded commitments. See the "Provision for Loan Losses" section below.
•Noninterest income declined $25.8 million in 2025, which resulted primarily from the $71.6 million securities loss related to securities loss-earnback transactions that took place in the third and fourth quarter of 2025. Noninterest income in 2024 included a securities loss of $38.0 million related to a securities loss-earnback transactions that took place in the fourth quarter of 2024. Refer to "Noninterest Income" section below for further discussion.
•Noninterest expense increased $3.7 million in 2025, primarily related to the $4.2 million increase in Total personnel expense driven by increased incentives expense arising from the Company's performance. In 2024 and 2025, the Company actively managed headcount and continued to apply additional expense controls. Refer to "Noninterest Expense" section below for further discussion.
•Income tax expense increased $6.6 million from the prior year primarily resulting from higher pre-tax income. The 2025 effective tax rate of 20.4% was lower than the prior year as the result of net discrete tax benefits, primarily arising from state taxes, including the continued North Carolina graduated tax rate reductions.
Current Economic Conditions
Economic conditions during 2025 continued to show resilience, supported by generally positive domestic results, relatively low unemployment and sustained demand for goods and services. Inflationary pressures moderated further compared to prior periods, reflecting the impact of monetary policy actions taken by the Federal Reserve in recent years. However, a combination of positive and negative economic indicators persisted throughout 2025 and there continues to be some uncertainty in economic conditions and outlook. As such, we could be exposed to ongoing risks, which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations.
Our financial position and results of operations are susceptible, among other factors, to the ability of our loan customers to meet their loan obligations to us, the availability of our workforce, the availability of our vendors, and the volatility in the value of assets held by us or securing our loans. We have not realized significant negative impact on our loan portfolio or asset quality to date as a result of the current economic conditions. However, the economic pressures and uncertainties, increased consumer demand and recent volatility in both short-term and long-term interest rates have resulted in, and may continue to result in, specific changes in consumer and business spending and borrowing habits, given the current and expected interest rate environment, which could make it difficult to grow assets and income.
The extent to which the current economic conditions have a further impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including actions taken by governmental authorities in response to inflationary trends and recessionary risks.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The accounting principles we follow and our methods of applying these principles conform with GAAP and with general practices followed by the banking industry. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions, or judgments and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. We have identified the determination of our ACL and related Allowance for Unfunded Commitments, as well as business combinations, related fair value measurements and goodwill determination to be the accounting areas that require the most subjective or complex judgments, estimates, and assumptions, and where changes in those judgments, estimates, and assumptions (based on new or additional information, changes in the economic climate and/or market interest rates, etc.) could have a significant effect on
32
Table of Contents
our financial statements. See the "Allowance for Credit Losses, Allowance for Unfunded Commitments, and Loan Loss Experience" discussion in the Financial Condition section of Management's Discussion and Analysis.
Our most significant accounting policies are presented in Note 1 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the other notes to the consolidated financial statements and in this MD&A, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans and Allowance for Unfunded Commitments
While management uses the best information available to establish the ACL, future adjustments to the ACL and methodology may be necessary if economic or other conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the estimates. We perform periodic and systematic detailed reviews of the loan portfolio to identify trends and to assess the overall collectability of the portfolio. We believe the accounting estimate related to the ACL is a “critical accounting estimate” as: (1) changes in it can materially affect the provision for loan losses and net income; (2) it requires management to predict borrowers’ likelihood or capacity to repay, including evaluation of inherently uncertain future economic conditions; (3) the value of underlying collateral must be estimated on collateral-dependent loans; (4) prepayment activity must be projected to estimate the life of loans that often are shorter than contractual terms; and (5) it requires estimation of a reasonable and supportable forecast period for credit losses. Accordingly, this is a highly subjective process and requires significant judgment since it is difficult to evaluate current and future economic conditions in relation to an overall credit cycle and estimate the timing and extent of loss events that are expected to occur prior to end of a loan’s estimated life.
Our ACL is assessed at each quarterly balance sheet date and adjustments are recorded in the provision for loan losses on the consolidated statements of income. There are many factors affecting the ACL, some of which are quantitative, while others require qualitative judgment. There are both internal factors (i.e., loan balances, historical loss rates, credit quality, the contractual lives of loans), external factors (i.e., economic conditions such as trends in housing prices, interest rates, GDP, inflation, and unemployment), and assumptions of probability of default and loss given default by loan category, that can impact the ACL estimate. One of the most significant assumptions is the macroeconomic scenario forecasts that determine the economic variables utilized in the ACL model. Due to the inherent uncertainty in the macroeconomic forecasts, we evaluate a baseline scenario quarterly, as well as upside or downside macroeconomic scenarios to assess the most reasonable scenario based on review of the variable forecasts for each scenario, comparison to expectations, and sensitivity of variations in each scenario.
The most significant variable in the economic forecasts is the national unemployment rate (which has remained relatively stable), and changes in unemployment forecasts can have significant impact to the estimated ACL. Other economic variables include national GDP, the national commercial real estate pricing index and the national home price index. We use the national unemployment rate in all of our models regardless of the loan portfolio type, and we use a second economic variable in each cohort model depending on the loan portfolio type. The ACL quantitative estimate is sensitive to changes in the economic variable forecasts during the twelve-month reasonable and supportable forecast period with a straight-line reversion over the next three years to long-term average loss factors. There have been no changes to the reasonable and supportable period or reversion period in any year presented.
Although management believes its process for determining the ACL adequately considers all the factors that could potentially result in credit losses, the process includes subjective elements and is susceptible to significant change. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provision for loan losses could be required that could adversely affect our earnings or financial position in future periods.
Under the range of macroeconomic forecast scenarios considered as of December 31, 2025, use of a "downside"/ more pessimistic scenario would have resulted in an increase to the modeled allowance results of approximately $32 million. This estimate reflects the sensitivity of the modeled allowance estimate to macroeconomic forecast data but does not consider other qualitative adjustments that could increase or decrease modeled loss estimates calculated using this alternative economic scenario.
PCD loans represent assets that are acquired with evidence of more than insignificant credit quality deterioration since origination at the acquisition date. At acquisition, the allowance on PCD assets is booked directly to the ACL. Any subsequent changes in the ACL on PCD assets is recorded through the provision for loan losses on the consolidated statements of income.
33
Table of Contents
We believe that the ACL is adequate to absorb the expected life of loan credit losses on the portfolio of loans as of the balance sheet date. Actual losses incurred may differ materially from our estimates. For example, inflationary pressures and recessionary concerns leading to macroeconomic economic deterioration, higher unemployment and declines in real estate and other asset valuations could affect our loss experience and assumptions utilized in our model.
We estimate expected credit losses on unfunded commitments to extend credit over the contractual period in which we are exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable. The allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures, which is included in "Other liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets, is adjusted for as an increase or decrease to the provision for unfunded commitments. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The methodology is based on a loss rate approach that starts with the probability of funding based on historical experience. Similar to the methodology discussed above related to the loans receivable portfolio, adjustments are made to the historical losses for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
Additional information on the loan portfolio and ACL can be found in the sections of this Item 7 titled “Nonperforming Assets” and “Allowance for Credit Losses and Loan Loss Experience” below.
Business Combinations and Goodwill
We believe that the accounting for business combinations, goodwill, and other intangible assets also involves a higher degree of judgment than most other significant accounting policies. Pursuant to applicable accounting guidance, we recognize assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, and the liabilities assumed in acquisitions at their fair values as of the acquisition date, with the related transaction costs expensed in the period incurred. Specified items such as acquired operating lease assets and liabilities as lessee, employee benefit plans, and income-tax related balances are recognized in accordance with accounting guidance that results in measurements that may differ from fair value. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed often involves estimates based on internal or third-party valuations which include appraisals, discounted cash flow analysis, or other valuation techniques that may include estimates of attrition, inflation, asset growth rates, discount rates, credit risk, multiples of earnings, or other relevant factors. The determination of fair value may require us to make point-in-time estimates about discount rates, future expected cash flows, market conditions, and other future events that can be volatile in nature and challenging to assess. While we use the best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, the estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement.
The primary identifiable intangible asset we typically record in connection with a whole bank or bank branch acquisition is the value of the core deposit intangibles which represents the estimated value of the long-term deposit relationships acquired in the transaction. Determining the amount of identifiable intangible assets and their average lives involves multiple assumptions and estimates and is typically determined by performing a discounted cash flow analysis, which involves a combination of any or all of the following assumptions: customer attrition/runoff, alternative funding costs, deposit servicing costs, and discount rates. The core deposit intangibles are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the deposit accounts based on a method that we believe reasonably approximates the anticipated benefit stream from this intangible. The estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed for reasonableness and have generally been estimated to have a life ranging from seven to ten years, with an accelerated rate of amortization. We review identifiable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Our policy is that an impairment loss is recognized, equal to the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and its fair value, if the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. Estimating future cash flows involves the use of multiple estimates and assumptions, such as those listed above.
The ACL for PCD assets is recognized within business combination accounting with no initial impact to net income. Changes in estimates of expected credit losses on PCD loans after acquisition are recognized as provision expense (or reversal of provision expense) in subsequent periods as they arise. The ACL for non-PCD assets is recognized as provision expense in the same reporting period as the business combination. Estimated loan losses for acquired loans are determined using methodologies and applying estimates and assumptions that were described previously in the Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans and Allowance for Unfunded Commitments section above.
Non-PCD loans acquired are generally estimated at fair value using a discounted cash flow approach with assumptions of discount rate, remaining life, prepayments, probability of default, and loss given default. The actual
34
Table of Contents
cash flows on these loans could differ materially from the fair value estimates. The amount we record as the fair values for the loans is generally less than the contractual unpaid principal balance due from the borrowers, with the difference being referred to as the “discount” on the acquired loans. Discounts on acquired non-PCD loans are accreted to interest income over their estimated remaining lives, which may include prepayment estimates in certain circumstances.
Similarly, premiums or discounts on acquired debt are accreted or amortized to interest expense over their remaining lives. Actual accretion or amortization of premiums and discounts from a business acquisition may differ materially from our estimates impacting our operating results.
We believe that the accounting for goodwill also involves a higher degree of judgment than most other significant accounting policies. Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the excess of the purchase price over the sum of the estimated fair values of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired less the estimated fair value of the liabilities assumed. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is evaluated for impairment annually or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value.
ASC 350-10 establishes standards for an impairment assessment of goodwill. At each reporting date between annual goodwill impairment tests, we consider potential indicators of impairment. Generally, absent potential impairment indicators, we perform an annual assessment of whether the events and circumstances resulted in it being more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit was less than its carrying value. Impairment indicators considered include the condition of the economy and banking industry; government intervention and regulatory updates; the impact of recent events to financial performance and cost factors of the reporting unit; performance of the Company's stock, and other relevant events. During 2025 there were no triggers warranting interim impairment assessments and for the 2025 annual assessment, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value exceeded its carrying value. At December 31, 2025, we had $478.8 million of goodwill.
Recent Accounting Standards and Pronouncements
For information relating to recent accounting standards and pronouncements, see Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements entitled “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion reviews the results of operations and key drivers to change in the results of 2025 as compared to 2024. For a description of our results of operations for 2024 as compared to 2023, refer to the "Overview and 2024 Highlights," Results of Operations," and "Analysis of Financial Condition and Changes in Financial Condition" sections of Item 7 in our 2024 Form 10-K.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is our largest source of revenue and is the difference between the interest earned on interest-earning assets (generally loans and investment securities) and the interest expense incurred in connection with interest-bearing liabilities (generally deposits and borrowed funds). Changes in the net interest income are the result of changes in volume and the net interest spread which affects NIM. Volume refers to the average dollar levels of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest spread refers to the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. NIM refers to net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets and is influenced by the level and relative mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is also influenced by external factors such as local economic conditions, competition for loans and deposits, and market interest rates.
Net interest income amounted to $398.2 million in 2025, an increase of $66.0 million, or 19.9%, from $332.3 million in 2024. The increase was primarily due to the increase in yields on securities, partially a result of the securities loss-earnback transactions in 2025 and 2024, and the higher volume and yields of average loans outstanding. Additionally, interest expense decreased, primarily due the lower rates on interest-bearing deposits, specifically money market accounts, partially offset by the higher volume of average money market account balances. The average rate on borrowings decreased due to the payoff of borrowings with higher interest rates as well as borrowings with variable interest rates decreasing after the FOMC actions in 2024 and 2025.
35
Table of Contents
As a result of the higher net interest income related to the increase in the yield on interest-bearing assets and the decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, NIM expanded 51 basis points to 3.40% in 2025 from 2.89% in 2024. For internal purposes, we evaluate our NIM on a tax-equivalent basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, by adding the tax benefit realized from tax-exempt loans and securities to reported interest income, then dividing by total average earning assets. We believe that analysis of NIM on a tax-equivalent basis is useful and appropriate because it allows a comparison of net interest in different periods without taking into account the different mix of taxable versus non-taxable loans and investments that may have existed during those periods. The following is a reconciliation of reported net interest income to tax-equivalent net interest income and the resulting NIM as reported and on a tax-equivalent basis.
| ($ in thousands) | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income, as reported | $ | 398,247 | $ | 332,273 | $ | 346,843 | ||||||||||||||
| Tax-equivalent adjustment | 1,389 | 2,983 | 2,694 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income, tax-equivalent | $ | 399,636 | $ | 335,256 | $ | 349,537 | ||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin, as reported | 3.40 | % | 2.89 | % | 3.03 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin, tax-equivalent | 3.42 | % | 2.93 | % | 3.06 | % | ||||||||||||||
Our total cost of deposits has been more impacted by the FOMC's changes in short term rates than the yield on our interest-earning assets. The target federal funds rate began 2024 at 5.50% and remained there until September 2024, when it was reduced a total of 100 basis points by the end of 2024, helping to increase our NIM to 3.05% in the fourth quarter of 2024. In the second half of 2025, after a pause in rate changes, the FOMC made further rate changes, resulting in an additional 75 basis point decrease.
As shown in the chart below, our NIM has grown consistently since the first quarter of 2024. This NIM expansion is the result of our yield on interest-earning assets continuing to earn at higher rates, increasing 41 basis points during the same period, while our total cost of deposits peaked in the third quarter of 2024, then declined 44 basis points to 1.32% for the fourth quarter of 2025.
First Bancorp Comparison of Net Interest Margin,
Yield on Earning Assets and Total Cost of Deposits
Eight Quarters Ended December 31, 2025
Our NIM for all periods presented below benefited from the net accretion income arising from purchase accounting 36
Table of Contents
premiums/discounts associated with acquisitions. Presented in the table below is the amount of accretion which increased net interest income in each year presented.
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest income – increased by accretion of loan discount on acquired loans | $ | 6,128 | $ | 8,938 | $ | 11,507 | ||||||||||||||
| Total interest income impact | 6,128 | 8,938 | 11,507 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense – (increased) reduced by (discount accretion) premium amortization of deposits | (344) | (826) | (3,101) | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense – increased by discount accretion of borrowings | (743) | (767) | (842) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total net interest expense impact | (1,087) | (1,593) | (3,943) | |||||||||||||||||
| Impact on net interest income | $ | 5,041 | $ | 7,345 | $ | 7,564 | ||||||||||||||
The most significant component of the purchase accounting adjustments in each year was loan discount accretion on purchased loans. Generally, the level of loan discount accretion will decline each year after an acquisition due to the natural reduction in the outstanding balance of acquired loans. Alternately, levels of accretion will increase as a result of future acquisitions and related additions to loan discounts on acquired portfolios which are accreted to income as experienced since 2023 with the GrandSouth acquisition.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, unaccreted loan discount on purchased loans amounted to $8.8 million and $15.1 million, respectively. The GrandSouth acquired portfolio comprised the majority of the remaining unaccreted loan discount at December 31, 2025.
37
Table of Contents
The following table presents the major components of net interest income and NIM.
| Average Balances and Net Interest Income Analysis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Volume | Interest Earned or Paid | Avg. Rate | Average Volume | Interest Earned or Paid | Avg. Rate | Average Volume | Interest Earned or Paid | Avg. Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans (1) (2) | $ | 8,283,246 | $ | 462,306 | 5.58 | % | $ | 8,046,681 | $ | 441,181 | 5.48 | % | $ | 7,902,628 | $ | 418,853 | 5.30 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxable securities | 2,632,412 | 68,055 | 2.59 | % | 2,608,494 | 47,510 | 1.82 | % | 2,920,040 | 52,276 | 1.79 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-taxable securities | 287,298 | 4,461 | 1.55 | % | 291,520 | 4,466 | 1.53 | % | 296,287 | 4,485 | 1.51 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term investments, primarily interest-bearing cash | 496,404 | 22,413 | 4.52 | % | 561,886 | 26,083 | 4.64 | % | 314,537 | 13,330 | 4.24 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total interest-earning assets | 11,699,360 | 557,235 | 4.76 | % | 11,508,581 | 519,240 | 4.51 | % | 11,433,492 | 488,944 | 4.28 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and due from banks | 146,136 | 84,997 | 93,182 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premises and equipment | 141,884 | 147,916 | 151,980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other assets | 524,650 | 393,001 | 354,379 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 12,512,030 | $ | 12,134,495 | $ | 12,033,033 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities and Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing checking | $ | 1,412,605 | $ | 9,443 | 0.67 | % | $ | 1,395,856 | $ | 9,910 | 0.71 | % | $ | 1,457,272 | $ | 6,192 | 0.42 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market deposits | 4,437,314 | 119,158 | 2.69 | % | 4,039,999 | 126,531 | 3.13 | % | 3,355,992 | 78,643 | 2.34 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 535,863 | 1,009 | 0.19 | % | 564,473 | 1,209 | 0.21 | % | 668,730 | 1,024 | 0.15 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other time deposits | 527,357 | 12,406 | 2.35 | % | 666,868 | 20,429 | 3.06 | % | 737,330 | 19,023 | 2.58 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits >$250,000 | 332,895 | 10,502 | 3.15 | % | 373,851 | 14,006 | 3.75 | % | 343,669 | 9,984 | 2.90 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 7,246,034 | 152,518 | 2.10 | % | 7,041,047 | 172,085 | 2.44 | % | 6,562,993 | 114,866 | 1.75 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | — | — | — | % | 137,692 | 7,116 | 5.17 | % | 374,254 | 19,289 | 5.15 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings | 89,889 | 6,470 | 7.20 | % | 95,275 | 7,766 | 8.15 | % | 99,858 | 7,946 | 7.96 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total interest-bearing liabilities | 7,335,923 | 158,988 | 2.17 | % | 7,274,014 | 186,967 | 2.57 | % | 7,037,105 | 142,101 | 2.02 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing checking | 3,506,429 | 3,367,035 | 3,613,973 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total sources of funds | 10,842,352 | 1.47 | % | 10,641,049 | 1.76 | % | 10,651,078 | 1.33 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other liabilities | 119,805 | 76,985 | 88,870 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity | 1,549,873 | 1,416,461 | 1,293,085 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 12,512,030 | $ | 12,134,495 | $ | 12,033,033 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net yield on interest-earning assets and net interest income | $ | 398,247 | 3.40 | % | $ | 332,273 | 2.89 | % | $ | 346,843 | 3.03 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net yield on interest-earning assets and net interest income – tax-equivalent (3) | $ | 399,636 | 3.42 | % | $ | 335,256 | 2.93 | % | $ | 349,537 | 3.06 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate spread | 2.59 | % | 1.94 | % | 2.26 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average prime rate | 7.37 | % | 8.31 | % | 8.20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Average loans include nonaccruing loans, the effect of which is to lower the average rate shown. Interest earned includes recognized net loan fees, including late fees, prepayment fees, and deferred loan (cost)/fee amortization in the amounts of $(0.8) million, $(1.1) million, and $0.5 million for 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
(2)Includes accretion of discount on acquired loans of $6.1 million, $8.9 million, and $11.5 million in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
(3)Includes tax-equivalent adjustments to reflect the tax benefit that we receive related to tax-exempt securities and loans as reduced by the related nondeductible portion of interest expense.
38
Table of Contents
The following table presents additional detail regarding the estimated impact that changes in interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability volumes and changes in the interest rates we earned/paid had on our net interest income in 2025 and 2024.
| Volume and Rate Variance Analysis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2025 | Year Ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change Attributable to | Change Attributable to | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Changes in Volume | Changes in Rates | Total Increase (Decrease) | Changes in Volume | Changes in Rates | Total Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 13,217 | $ | 7,908 | $ | 21,125 | $ | 7,767 | $ | 14,561 | $ | 22,328 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 618 | 19,927 | 20,545 | (5,626) | 860 | (4,766) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities | (66) | 61 | (5) | (73) | 54 | (19) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other interest-earning assets, primarily overnight funds | (2,957) | (713) | (3,670) | 10,982 | 1,771 | 12,753 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest income | 10,812 | 27,183 | 37,995 | 13,050 | 17,246 | 30,296 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest bearing checking accounts | 112 | (579) | (467) | (348) | 4,066 | 3,718 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 10,669 | (18,042) | (7,373) | 18,726 | 29,162 | 47,888 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | (54) | (146) | (200) | (192) | 377 | 185 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other time | (2,350) | (5,673) | (8,023) | (2,479) | 3,885 | 1,406 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits >$250,000 | (1,292) | (2,212) | (3,504) | 1,004 | 3,018 | 4,022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 7,085 | (26,652) | (19,567) | 16,711 | 40,508 | 57,219 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | (7,116) | — | (7,116) | (12,208) | 35 | (12,173) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings | (3,183) | 1,887 | (1,296) | (369) | 189 | (180) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | (3,214) | (24,765) | (27,979) | 4,134 | 40,732 | 44,866 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 14,026 | $ | 51,948 | $ | 65,974 | $ | 8,916 | $ | (23,486) | $ | (14,570) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note - Changes attributable to both volume and rate are allocated equally between rate and volume variances.
As demonstrated in the above table, net interest income expanded $66.0 million in 2025. Higher rates and volumes on interest-bearing assets and lower rates on interest-bearing liabilities were partially offset by higher money market volume.
•For 2025, higher loan volume resulted in a $13.2 million increase in interest income while increased market rates contributed to an additional $7.9 million of loan interest income. Variable rate loans comprised approximately 29% of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2025, and, accordingly, the magnitude of the immediate yield impact we experience from each federal funds rate change is limited.
•Increases in the overall yield on average investment securities, along with somewhat higher volumes, resulted in increased interest income of $20.5 million in 2025. During 2025, $585.1 million of AFS securities were purchased with a weighted average yield of 4.13%.
•Lower volumes of other interest-earning assets (primarily interest-bearing cash balances) along with lower yields resulted in a decrease in interest income of $3.7 million for the year.
•The decrease of $19.6 million in interest expense on deposits was driven by lower rates on accounts as we repriced deposits in response to the market decreases, partially offset with higher volumes, primarily in money market deposit accounts.
•Lower balances on short-term borrowings, historically comprised of short-term FHLB and Federal Reserve advances to fund loan demand in excess of deposit growth, contributed $7.1 million to the decrease in borrowings interest expense, which, in total, decreased $8.4 million in 2025.
Provision for Credit Losses and Provision for Unfunded Commitments
The provision for credit losses is comprised of the provision for loan losses and the provision for unfunded commitments. The provision recorded in each period represents the amount required such that the total ACL reflects
39
Table of Contents
the current estimate of life of loan credit losses in the loan portfolio and the allowance for unfunded commitments reflects the current expected losses on unfunded loan commitments that are expected to result in outstanding loan balances. Our estimate of credit losses is determined using a complex model that relies on reasonable and supportable forecasts and historical loss information to determine the balance of the ACL and allowance for unfunded commitments. The allowance for unfunded commitments is included in "Other liabilities" in the consolidated balance sheets.
The provision for loan losses was $9.6 million in 2025 and $18.8 million in 2024. The amount of provision recorded in each period was the amount required such that the total ACL reflected the appropriate balance as determined under the CECL model. The primary contributor to the reduction in provision expense was the $13.0 million related to potential credit exposure from Hurricane Helene recognized in 2024.
We subscribe to a third-party service which provides quarterly macroeconomic scenarios for the United States economy. For 2025, we continue to utilize the baseline forecast, which incorporates an equal probability of the United States economy performing better or worse than the projection. The economic forecasts throughout the year have exhibited general stability of the economy demonstrated in relatively low unemployment rates, healthy GDP levels, and mixed results for real estate price indices for commercial and residential properties.
During 2025 we recorded a provision for unfunded commitments of $1.9 million compared to a reduction of $2.3 million for 2024. Changes in the level of provision each year are generally related to fluctuations in the level of available credit lines and updated loss drivers.
In the portions of Western North and South Carolina that were significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene in third quarter of 2024, the Company identified borrowers who were potentially impacted. During 2025, the Company evaluated the commercial loan portfolio and adjusted risk ratings and nonaccrual status as applicable. Therefore, for those relationships, the normal reserving process was applied for December 31, 2025. For the potentially impacted consumer loans, the Company applied increased reserve rates based upon severe economic factors to the approximately $268 million of loans (primarily Residential 1-4 family real estate) in the most impacted path of Hurricane Helene. Due to the potential exposure from Hurricane Helene, the ACL on these impacted consumer loans was $1.9 million as of December 31, 2025, adding 2 basis points to the overall ACL as a percent of total loans, which was 1.42% as of December 31, 2025.
Additional discussion of the CECL method and our asset quality and credit metrics, which impact our provision for credit losses, is provided in the "Nonperforming Assets" and "Allowance for Credit Losses and Loan Loss Experience" sections following.
Noninterest Income
Our noninterest income amounted to $7.9 million in 2025, $17.9 million in 2024, and $57.3 million in 2023.
The decreased noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the same period in 2024 is a result of increased "Securities losses, net," partially offset by increased "Other gains, net." Details of the more significant components of noninterest income are presented in the table below.
| Noninterest Income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
Service charges on deposit accounts | $ | 16,237 | $ | 16,620 | $ | 16,800 | ||||||||||||||
| Other service charges and fees - bankcard and interchange income, net | 9,464 | 9,306 | 9,319 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other service charges - other | 15,022 | 12,961 | 12,766 | |||||||||||||||||
| Presold mortgage loan fees and gains on sale | 1,819 | 2,292 | 1,613 | |||||||||||||||||
| Commissions from sales of financial products | 6,274 | 5,270 | 5,503 | |||||||||||||||||
SBA loan sale gains | 1,072 | 3,630 | 2,489 | |||||||||||||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance ("BOLI") income | 5,113 | 4,773 | 4,350 | |||||||||||||||||
| Securities losses, net | (71,627) | (37,981) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Other gains, net | 8,691 | 1,028 | 4,465 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total noninterest income | $ | (7,935) | $ | 17,899 | $ | 57,305 | ||||||||||||||
Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $0.4 million, or 2.3%, in 2025 as compared to 2024.
40
Table of Contents
Other service charges and fees - bankcard interchange income, net represents interchange income from debit and credit card transactions, net of associated interchange expense and amounted to $9.5 million in 2025, a 1.7% increase from the $9.3 million in 2024.
Other service charges - other includes items such as ATM charges, wire transfer fees, safety deposit box rentals, fees from sales of personalized checks, and check cashing fees. Also included in this category are SBA guarantee servicing fees and related servicing rights amortization which fluctuate based on the volume of and prepayment speeds on SBA loans serviced for others. The increase in this category in 2025 was $2.1 million, or 15.9%.
Securities losses, net was $71.6 million in 2025. $27.9 million of this loss relates to a securities loss-earnback transaction from the third quarter in which the Company sold $194.3 million of AFS securities bearing 1.63% at a loss. Additionally, $43.7 million of this loss relates to a securities loss-earnback transaction from the fourth quarter in which the Company sold $342.0 million of AFS securities bearing 1.67% at a loss.
Other gains, net amounted to a net gain of $8.7 million for 2025. The majority of the increase from the prior year related to a pretax gain of $4.6 million realized upon the sale of an office building during the fourth quarter.
Noninterest Expenses
Total noninterest expenses totaled $239.3 million, $235.6 million, and $254.4 million, for 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
The primary contributors to the $3.7 million, or 1.6%, increase for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to 2024 was the $4.2 million increase in Total personnel expense arising from increased incentives due to the Company's financial performance, partially offset by the $0.9 million decrease in Amortization of intangible assets. For the year ended December 31, 2025, there was a continued overall effort by management to actively control headcount and expenses.
The following table presents the primary components of noninterest expense.
| Noninterest Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Salaries incentives and commissions expense | $ | 119,478 | $ | 113,853 | $ | 114,415 | ||||||||||||||
| Employee benefit expense | 24,706 | 26,169 | 25,436 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total personnel expense | 144,184 | 140,022 | 139,851 | |||||||||||||||||
| Occupancy and equipment expense | 20,435 | 20,535 | 21,554 | |||||||||||||||||
| Credit card rewards and other bankcard expenses | 6,011 | 6,572 | 5,288 | |||||||||||||||||
| Telephone and data lines | 3,497 | 3,390 | 3,960 | |||||||||||||||||
| Software licenses and other software costs | 8,096 | 7,691 | 8,717 | |||||||||||||||||
| Data processing expense | 9,767 | 8,916 | 8,733 | |||||||||||||||||
| Professional fees | 5,576 | 6,207 | 5,409 | |||||||||||||||||
| Advertising and marketing | 3,375 | 3,704 | 4,401 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-credit losses | 3,590 | 2,859 | 4,784 | |||||||||||||||||
| FDIC insurance costs | 6,449 | 6,559 | 6,982 | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate insurance costs | 2,189 | 2,302 | 2,275 | |||||||||||||||||
| Merger and acquisition expenses | — | — | 13,695 | |||||||||||||||||
| Intangibles amortization expense | 5,672 | 6,604 | 8,003 | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreclosed real estate (gains) losses, net | 261 | (245) | (150) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 20,208 | 20,491 | 20,877 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 239,310 | $ | 235,607 | $ | 254,379 | ||||||||||||||
Income Taxes
We recorded income tax expense of $28.5 million in 2025, $21.9 million in 2024, and $27.8 million in 2023. Our effective tax rates were 20.4% for 2025, 22.3% for 2024, and 21.1% for 2023. The effective tax rate for 2025 included approximately $2.1 million of net discrete tax benefits, primarily arising from state taxes, including the continued North Carolina graduated tax rate reductions. The effective tax rate for 2024 included incremental state tax-related expense related to prior years, changes in state tax income apportionment, and the negative impact of
41
Table of Contents
decreasing deferred tax assets related to the North Carolina corporate income tax reduction effective January 1, 2025 and for future years.
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION
Loans
The loan portfolio is the largest category of our earning assets and is comprised of commercial loans, real estate mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, and consumer loans. The majority of our loan portfolio is within our North Carolina and South Carolina market areas. We also have a portfolio of SBA loans that have been made on a more dispersed geographic basis. The diversity of the economic bases of our market areas has historically provided a stable lending environment.
Total loans amounted to $8.7 billion at December 31, 2025, an increase of $627.7 million, or 7.8%, from December 31, 2024. The following table provides a summary of the loan portfolio composition at each of the past five year ends.
| Loan Portfolio Composition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % of Total Loans | Amount | % of Total Loans | Amount | % of Total Loans | Amount | % of Total Loans | Amount | % of Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 1,046,438 | 12 | % | $ | 919,690 | 11 | % | $ | 905,862 | 11 | % | $ | 641,941 | 9 | % | $ | 648,997 | 11 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | 753,199 | 9 | % | 647,167 | 8 | % | 992,980 | 12 | % | 934,176 | 14 | % | 828,549 | 13 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 1,353,912 | 15 | % | 1,248,812 | 16 | % | 1,259,022 | 16 | % | 1,036,270 | 16 | % | 991,775 | 16 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | 2,843,555 | 33 | % | 2,625,554 | 33 | % | 2,528,060 | 31 | % | 2,123,811 | 32 | % | 1,813,849 | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | 537,015 | 6 | % | 506,407 | 6 | % | 421,376 | 5 | % | 350,180 | 5 | % | 389,113 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | 1,736,453 | 20 | % | 1,729,322 | 21 | % | 1,639,469 | 20 | % | 1,195,785 | 18 | % | 1,021,966 | 17 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | 383,652 | 4 | % | 345,883 | 4 | % | 335,068 | 4 | % | 323,726 | 5 | % | 331,932 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | 67,458 | 1 | % | 70,653 | 1 | % | 68,443 | 1 | % | 60,659 | 1 | % | 57,238 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans, gross | 8,721,682 | 100 | % | 8,093,488 | 100 | % | 8,150,280 | 100 | % | 6,666,548 | 100 | % | 6,083,419 | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized net deferred loan (fees) costs | 737 | 1,188 | (178) | (1,403) | (1,704) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | 8,722,419 | $ | 8,094,676 | $ | 8,150,102 | $ | 6,665,145 | $ | 6,081,715 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The majority of our loan portfolio over the years has been real estate mortgage loans, including commercial and residential mortgages. Except for construction, land development, and other land loans, the majority of our real estate loans are primarily supported by cash flows from the borrower’s occupation or business, with the real estate pledged providing a secondary repayment source.
The largest component of our portfolio is non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, followed by residential 1-4 family real estate and owner occupied commercial real estate loans. As demonstrated in the table above, while there have been some variations in the relative percentage of each loan category to the total portfolio over the years, the nature of our portfolio has not changed drastically from the prior year or the historical averages.
42
Table of Contents
A summary of scheduled loan maturities, based on contractual maturity dates, over certain time periods is presented below, with fixed rate loans and adjustable rate loans shown separately.
| Loan Maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due within one year | Due after one year but within five years | Due after five years but within fifteen years | Due after fifteen years | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Variable Rate Loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 144,114 | 6.52 | % | $ | 195,020 | 5.24 | % | $ | 67,412 | 9.24 | % | $ | 343 | 8.85 | % | $ | 406,889 | 6.36 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | 155,897 | 7.27 | % | 216,042 | 6.49 | % | 67,291 | 6.20 | % | 3,319 | 8.42 | % | 442,549 | 6.74 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 17,223 | 6.49 | % | 120,232 | 6.23 | % | 41,691 | 6.42 | % | 66,816 | 8.71 | % | 245,962 | 6.95 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | 32,155 | 6.22 | % | 298,870 | 6.01 | % | 144,910 | 5.99 | % | 9,464 | 8.18 | % | 485,399 | 6.06 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | 2,258 | 6.77 | % | 21,292 | 6.11 | % | 45,713 | 5.82 | % | — | — | % | 69,263 | 5.94 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | 7,803 | 7.45 | % | 58,779 | 6.28 | % | 27,748 | 6.57 | % | 374,333 | 4.98 | % | 468,663 | 5.28 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | 11,787 | 7.20 | % | 47,441 | 6.62 | % | 311,598 | 6.83 | % | — | — | % | 370,826 | 6.81 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | 2,297 | 8.27 | % | 9,518 | 9.21 | % | 52 | 9.16 | % | 879 | 8.79 | % | 12,746 | 9.01 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total at variable rates | 373,534 | 6.86 | % | 967,194 | 6.05 | % | 706,415 | 6.72 | % | 455,154 | 5.63 | % | 2,502,297 | 6.29 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed Rate Loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 144,974 | 17.18 | % | 245,318 | 5.65 | % | 182,111 | 3.55 | % | 58,722 | 3.47 | % | 631,125 | 7.49 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | 78,735 | 6.53 | % | 165,214 | 6.04 | % | 66,372 | 5.19 | % | 127 | 6.00 | % | 310,448 | 5.98 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 92,498 | 4.21 | % | 644,895 | 5.28 | % | 356,384 | 4.53 | % | 709 | 8.06 | % | 1,094,486 | 4.95 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | 295,711 | 4.08 | % | 1,558,858 | 4.85 | % | 498,781 | 4.24 | % | 167 | 6.50 | % | 2,353,517 | 4.62 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | 37,900 | 3.72 | % | 263,219 | 4.48 | % | 166,633 | 4.47 | % | — | — | % | 467,752 | 4.42 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | 53,338 | 4.03 | % | 288,236 | 5.62 | % | 124,022 | 4.75 | % | 795,978 | 4.02 | % | 1,261,574 | 4.45 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | 1,661 | 6.93 | % | 6,619 | 6.68 | % | 1,701 | 4.96 | % | 438 | 5.50 | % | 10,419 | 6.39 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | 1,069 | 8.27 | % | 45,454 | 9.22 | % | 5,966 | 8.86 | % | 1,997 | 17.05 | % | 54,486 | 9.45 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total at fixed rates | 705,886 | 7.04 | % | 3,217,813 | 5.13 | % | 1,401,970 | 4.36 | % | 858,138 | 4.01 | % | 6,183,807 | 5.04 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 1,079,420 | 6.98 | % | 4,185,007 | 5.34 | % | 2,108,385 | 5.15 | % | 1,313,292 | 4.57 | % | 8,686,104 | 5.40 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonaccrual loans | 36,315 | — | — | — | 36,315 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | 1,115,735 | $ | 4,185,007 | $ | 2,108,385 | $ | 1,313,292 | $ | 8,722,419 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note: The above table is based on contractual scheduled maturities. Early repayment of loans or renewals at maturity are not considered in this table.
Approximately 12% of our accruing loans outstanding at December 31, 2025 mature within one year and 61% of total loans mature within five years. During 2025, the Company continued to focus on shifting more loans to variable rates. As of December 31, 2025, the percentages of variable rate loans and fixed rate loans as compared to total performing loans were 29% and 71%, respectively, compared to 23% variable and 77% fixed at December 31, 2024. While fixed rate loans present market interest rate risk, we monitor our interest rate risk closely. Refer to additional discussion in the section “Interest Rate Risk” below.
The Company’s loan portfolio is not concentrated in loans to any single borrower or to a relatively small number of borrowers. Additionally, management is not aware of any concentrations of loans to classes of borrowers or industries that would be similarly affected by economic conditions.
In addition to monitoring potential concentrations of loans to particular borrowers or groups of borrowers, industries, and geographic regions, the Company monitors exposure to credit risk that could arise from potential concentrations of lending products and practices such as loans that subject borrowers to substantial payment increases (e.g. principal deferral periods, loans with initial interest-only periods, etc.), and loans with high loan-to-value ratios. Additionally, there are industry practices that could subject the Company to increased credit risk should economic conditions change over the course of a loan’s life. For example, the Bank makes variable rate loans and fixed rate principal-amortizing loans with maturities prior to the loan being fully paid (i.e. balloon payment loans). These loans are underwritten and monitored to manage the associated risks. The Company has determined that there is no concentration of credit risk associated with its lending policies or practices.
43
Table of Contents
Most of our business activity is with customers located within the markets where we have banking operations. Therefore, our exposure to credit risk is significantly affected by changes in the economy within our markets. Approximately 87% of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate and is therefore susceptible to changes in real estate valuations.
The following tables provides a summary of the outstanding balances of the commercial real estate-owner occupied, commercial real estate-non owner occupied and multi-family real estate loan portfolio compositions at December 31, 2025 by geographic region.
| Region | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Commercial real estate - owner occupied | Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | Multi-family real estate | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charlotte, NC | $ | 60,478 | $ | 422,971 | $ | 41,065 | $ | 524,514 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Piedmont Triad, NC | 120,592 | 270,119 | 23,227 | 413,938 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research Triangle, NC | 113,933 | 413,768 | 47,627 | 575,328 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wilmington, NC | 171,967 | 251,777 | 109,192 | 532,936 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asheville, NC | 75,897 | 217,527 | 20,271 | 313,695 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other areas in NC | 517,571 | 632,919 | 162,881 | 1,313,371 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greenville-Spartanburg, SC | 84,841 | 123,444 | 32,457 | 240,742 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Columbia, SC | 11,355 | 32,233 | 7,676 | 51,264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charleston, SC | 61,015 | 174,502 | 57,618 | 293,135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other areas in SC | 72,588 | 223,970 | 34,345 | 330,903 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other states | 63,675 | 80,325 | 656 | 144,656 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,353,912 | $ | 2,843,555 | $ | 537,015 | $ | 4,734,482 | ||||||||||||||||||
As noted above and described in the Item 1. Business section, we do not have concentrations geographically or by CRE category.
Nonperforming Assets
NPAs include nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, foreclosed real estate and, prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02, accruing TDRs.
Nonaccrual loans are loans on which interest income is no longer being recognized or accrued because management has determined that the collection of interest is doubtful. Placing loans on nonaccrual status negatively impacts earnings because (1) interest accrued but unpaid as of the date a loan is placed on nonaccrual status is reversed and deducted from interest income; (2) future accruals of interest income are not recognized until it becomes probable that both principal and interest will be paid; and (3) principal charged-off, if appropriate, may necessitate additional provisions for loan losses that are charged against earnings. As a matter of policy, we generally place all loans that are past due 90 or more days on nonaccrual basis. There were no accruing loans that were past due 90 days or more at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
44
Table of Contents
The following table summarizes our NPAs at the dates indicated.
| Nonperforming Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonperforming assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonaccrual loans | $ | 36,315 | $ | 31,779 | $ | 32,208 | $ | 28,514 | $ | 34,696 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| TDRs - accruing | — | — | — | 9,121 | 13,866 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accruing loans >90 days past due | — | — | — | — | 1,004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total nonperforming loans | 36,315 | 31,779 | 32,208 | 37,635 | 49,566 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreclosed real estate | 1,425 | 4,965 | 862 | 658 | 3,071 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total nonperforming assets | $ | 37,740 | $ | 36,744 | $ | 33,070 | $ | 38,293 | $ | 52,637 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | $ | 123,581 | $ | 122,572 | $ | 109,853 | $ | 90,967 | $ | 78,789 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | 8,722,419 | 8,094,676 | 8,150,102 | 6,665,145 | 6,081,715 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Quality Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonaccrual loans to total loans | 0.42 | % | 0.39 | % | 0.40 | % | 0.43 | % | 0.57 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.42 | % | 0.39 | % | 0.40 | % | 0.56 | % | 0.82 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonperforming assets to total loans and foreclosed real estate | 0.43 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.41 | % | 0.57 | % | 0.87 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.30 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.36 | % | 0.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total loans | 1.42 | % | 1.51 | % | 1.35 | % | 1.36 | % | 1.30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans | 340.30 | % | 385.70 | % | 341.07 | % | 319.03 | % | 227.08 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans | 340.30 | % | 385.70 | % | 341.07 | % | 241.71 | % | 158.96 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Our asset quality continues to be strong as demonstrated by stable or improving trends in all ratios as presented in the table above. Our total nonperforming loans to total loans was 0.42% at December 31, 2025, while our total NPA ratio was 0.30% at that date. Additional discussion of the credit quality classification status of our loans is contained in Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements.
"Commercial real estate - owner occupied" is the largest category of nonaccrual loans, at $13.5 million, or 37.1% of total nonaccrual loans, followed by "Commercial and industrial" at $9.1 million, or 25.1% of total nonaccrual loans, and "Residential 1-4 family real estate" at $5.9 million, or 16.3% of total nonaccrual loans.
As of December 31, 2025, SBA loans accounted for approximately $14.8 million of our nonaccrual loans, or 9.1%, of the total SBA portfolio, and carried guarantees from the SBA totaling $7.3 million. This is compared to $15.5 million, or 11.4%, of the SBA portfolio at December 31, 2024. We continue to closely monitor the SBA loan portfolio and give it appropriate consideration when evaluating the adequacy of the ACL as those loans are generally considered inherently more risky than other loans in our portfolio. Refer to additional discussion of the ACL below.
As shown in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, our accruing past due loans (30 or more days) totaled $18.5 million at December 31, 2025, with the majority (55.4%) being in the Residential 1-4 family real estate category.
We classify loans as “special mention” when there is a defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the repayment by the borrower and there is a distinct possibility that we could sustain some loss if the deficiency is not corrected. Performing special mention loans, which are still accruing interest, totaled $29.3 million and $37.1 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. In addition, loans that are in the risk category of "classified" which are still accruing interest totaled $22.2 million at December 31, 2025 and $34.0 million at December 31, 2024. These loans have a risk of further deterioration and potential loss to the Bank.
Total foreclosed real estate amounted to $1.4 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $5.0 million in 2024. Six properties were added to foreclosed real estate during 2025 and we completed the sale of nine properties during the year.
45
Table of Contents
Allowance for Credit Losses, Allowance for Unfunded Commitments, and Loan Loss Experience
The total ACL amounted to $123.6 million at December 31, 2025 compared to $122.6 million at December 31, 2024. Fluctuations in the ACL are based on loan mix and growth, changes in the levels of nonperforming loans, economic forecasts impacting loss drivers, other assumptions and inputs to the CECL model, and as occurred in 2023, adjustments for acquired loan portfolios.
In the portions of Western North and South Carolina that were significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene in third quarter of 2024, the Company identified borrowers who were potentially impacted. During 2025, the Company evaluated the commercial loan portfolio and adjusted risk ratings and nonaccrual status as applicable. Therefore, for those relationships, for December 31, 2025, the normal reserving process was applied. For the potentially impacted consumer loans, the Company applied increased reserve rates based upon severe economic factors to the approximately $268 million of loans (primarily Residential 1-4 family real estate) in the most impacted path of Hurricane Helene. This compares to consumer and commercial loans totaling $744 million at December 31, 2024. Due to the potential exposure from Hurricane Helene, the ACL on these impacted consumer loans was $1.9 million as of December 31, 2025, adding 2 basis points to the overall ACL as a percent of total loans, which was 1.42% as of December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, the ACL on these loans was $13.0 million, adding 16 basis points to the overall ACL as a percent of total loans, which was 1.51%.
The ACL reflects the best estimate of life of loan expected credit losses that will result from the inability of borrowers to make required loan payments. Systematic methodologies are used to determine the ACL for loans and the allowance for certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures. The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loan portfolio.
We consider the effects of past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts on the collectability of the loan portfolio. Our estimate of the ACL involves a high degree of judgment. Therefore, the process for determining expected credit losses may result in a range of expected credit losses. The ACL is calculated using collectively evaluated pools for loans with similar risk characteristics applying the DCF method. When a loan no longer shares similar risk characteristics with its segment, the loan is evaluated on an individual basis applying a DCF or asset approach for collateral-dependent loans. Refer also to the discussion of the critical estimates utilized in the ACL in the prior section, Critical Accounting Estimates, and refer to Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our CECL methodology used to determine the ACL.
Our assessment of the ACL involves uncertainty and judgment and is subject to change in future periods. The amount of any changes could be significant if the assessment of loan quality or collateral values changes substantially with respect to one or more loan relationships or portfolios or if there is a significant change in the reasonable and supportable forecast used to model our expected credit losses. The allocation of the ACL as presented in the following table is based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, historical data, subjective judgment, and estimates and therefore, may not be predictive of the specific amounts or loan categories in which charge-offs may ultimately occur. In addition, bank regulatory authorities, as part of their periodic examination of the Bank, may require adjustments to the provision for loan losses in future periods if, in their opinion, the results of their review warrant such additions.
46
Table of Contents
The following table sets forth the allocation of the ACL by loan category at the dates indicated. However, the ACL is available to absorb losses in any and all categories.
| Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | % of Loan Category | 2024 | % of Loan Category | 2023 | % of Loan Category | 2022 | % of Loan Category | 2021 | % of Loan Category | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 20,044 | 1.92 | % | $ | 19,474 | 2.12 | % | $ | 21,227 | 2.34 | % | $ | 17,718 | 2.76 | % | $ | 16,249 | 2.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | 11,465 | 1.52 | % | 9,314 | 1.44 | % | 13,940 | 1.40 | % | 15,128 | 1.62 | % | 16,519 | 1.99 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 20,298 | 1.50 | % | 19,380 | 1.55 | % | 18,218 | 1.45 | % | 14,972 | 1.44 | % | 12,317 | 1.24 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | 25,017 | 0.88 | % | 27,768 | 1.06 | % | 24,916 | 0.99 | % | 22,780 | 1.07 | % | 16,789 | 0.93 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | 5,205 | 0.97 | % | 5,476 | 1.08 | % | 3,825 | 0.91 | % | 2,957 | 0.84 | % | 1,236 | 0.32 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | 34,068 | 1.96 | % | 33,552 | 1.94 | % | 21,396 | 1.31 | % | 11,354 | 0.95 | % | 8,686 | 0.85 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | 3,519 | 0.92 | % | 4,111 | 1.19 | % | 3,339 | 1.00 | % | 3,158 | 0.98 | % | 4,337 | 1.31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | 3,965 | 5.88 | % | 3,497 | 4.95 | % | 2,992 | 4.37 | % | 2,900 | 4.78 | % | 2,656 | 4.64 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 123,581 | 1.42 | % | $ | 122,572 | 1.51 | % | $ | 109,853 | 1.35 | % | $ | 90,967 | 1.36 | % | $ | 78,789 | 1.30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note: "% of Loan Category" represents the ACL as a percent of the respective total loan categories presented previously in the Loan Portfolio Composition table. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
47
Table of Contents
For the years indicated, the following table summarized the net loss experience by loan category and key ratios demonstrating the asset quality trends over the most recent five years.
| Loan Ratios, Loss and Recovery Experience | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans outstanding at end of year | $ | 8,722,419 | $ | 8,094,676 | $ | 8,150,102 | $ | 6,665,145 | $ | 6,081,715 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average amount of loans outstanding | 8,283,246 | 8,046,681 | 7,902,628 | 6,293,280 | 5,018,391 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses, at end of year | 123,581 | 122,572 | 109,853 | 90,967 | 78,789 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loan (charge-offs) recoveries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | (5,724) | $ | (4,915) | $ | (6,965) | $ | (1,763) | $ | (1,978) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | 168 | 150 | 250 | 480 | 703 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | (1,182) | (187) | 321 | 477 | (212) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | (900) | (355) | 502 | 432 | (1,562) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | — | — | 13 | 11 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | 320 | 292 | 373 | 17 | 488 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | 14 | 270 | (211) | 557 | 178 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | (1,251) | (1,287) | (757) | (633) | (309) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total net charge-offs | $ | (8,555) | $ | (6,032) | $ | (6,474) | $ | (422) | $ | (2,680) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 928,407 | $ | 877,989 | $ | 865,043 | $ | 619,480 | $ | 700,557 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | 671,208 | 810,564 | 1,053,422 | 857,880 | 619,928 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 1,281,633 | 1,239,411 | 1,224,284 | 1,012,275 | 812,764 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | 2,732,414 | 2,552,146 | 2,464,389 | 1,968,944 | 1,322,685 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | 518,659 | 466,588 | 402,814 | 357,491 | 256,396 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | 1,724,566 | 1,696,449 | 1,482,941 | 1,091,788 | 951,573 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | 357,299 | 331,995 | 341,778 | 326,592 | 300,291 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | 69,060 | 71,539 | 67,957 | 58,830 | 54,197 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total average loans | $ | 8,283,246 | $ | 8,046,681 | $ | 7,902,628 | $ | 6,293,280 | $ | 5,018,391 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses as a percent of loans at end of year | 1.42 | % | 1.51 | % | 1.35 | % | 1.36 | % | 1.30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses as a multiple of net charge-offs | 14.45 | 20.32 | 16.97 | 215.56 | 29.40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for loan losses as a percent of net charge-offs | 111.79 | % | 310.86 | % | 305.07 | % | 2,985.78 | % | 358.62 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoveries of loans previously charged-off as a percent of loans charged-off | 26.43 | % | 37.08 | % | 36.37 | % | 90.55 | % | 64.75 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total net charge-offs as a percent of average loans | (0.10 | %) | (0.07 | %) | (0.08 | %) | (0.01 | %) | (0.05 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (charge-offs) recoveries by loan category as a percent of average loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | (0.62 | %) | (0.56 | %) | (0.81 | %) | (0.28 | %) | (0.28 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | 0.03 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.06 | % | 0.11 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | (0.09 | %) | (0.02 | %) | 0.03 | % | 0.05 | % | (0.03 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | (0.03 | %) | (0.01 | %) | 0.02 | % | 0.02 | % | (0.12 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | — | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | 0.02 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.03 | % | — | % | 0.05 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | — | % | 0.08 | % | (0.06 | %) | 0.17 | % | 0.06 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | (1.81 | %) | (1.80 | %) | (1.11 | %) | (1.08 | %) | (0.57 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
48
Table of Contents
Securities
Our securities portfolio and the breakout of AFS and HTM securities is presented in the following table.
| Securities Portfolio Composition | ||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Securities available for sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| US Treasury securities | $ | 168,095 | $ | 120,581 | $ | 172,570 | ||||||||||||||
Government-sponsored enterprise securities | 1,758 | 9,614 | 60,266 | |||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 1,860,357 | 1,897,175 | 1,937,784 | |||||||||||||||||
Corporate bonds | 18,346 | 15,692 | 18,759 | |||||||||||||||||
Total securities available for sale | 2,048,556 | 2,043,062 | 2,189,379 | |||||||||||||||||
| Securities held to maturity: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 6,735 | 9,198 | 12,085 | |||||||||||||||||
State and local governments | 506,364 | 510,800 | 521,593 | |||||||||||||||||
Total securities held to maturity | 513,099 | 519,998 | 533,678 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total securities | $ | 2,561,655 | $ | 2,563,060 | $ | 2,723,057 | ||||||||||||||
| Average total securities during year, at amortized cost | $ | 2,919,710 | $ | 2,900,014 | $ | 3,216,327 | ||||||||||||||
During 2025, we sold $536.3 million of securities, with a weighted average yield of 1.66%, at a loss of $71.6 million and we purchased $585.1 million of securities, with a weighted average yield of 4.35%. Also impacting the change in balances of AFS securities was the improvement in unrealized loss on AFS securities which was $194.1 million at December 31, 2025 as compared to $368.1 million at December 31, 2024. Generally, we invested cash flows from amortizing investments in interest bearing cash deposits. As a result of the securities loss-earnback transactions during 2025, the composition of the securities portfolio has shifted to having a higher percentage of variable rate securities as of December 31, 2025 compared to the prior year.
The composition of the investment securities portfolio reflects our investment strategy of maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity while providing a relatively stable source of income. The investment portfolio also provides a balance to interest rate risk and credit risk in other categories of the balance sheet while providing a vehicle for the investment of available funds, furnishing liquidity, and supplying securities to pledge as required collateral for certain deposits. Essentially all of our mortgage-backed securities, which include both AFS and HTM securities, are issued by GSEs or GNMA, and are traded in liquid secondary markets. These securities are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value for the AFS portfolio and at amortized cost for the HTM portfolio.
49
Table of Contents
The table below presents the composition, tax equivalent yields, and remaining maturities of our securities as of December 31, 2025. For more information about these securities, including gross unrealized gains and losses by type of security and securities pledged, see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
| Securities Portfolio Maturity Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | US Treasury securities | Government & govt.-sponsored enterprise securities | Mortgage-backed securities (1) | Corporate debt securities | Total | Weighted Average Yield (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities available for sale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remaining maturity: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| One year or less | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 594 | $ | — | $ | 594 | 3.01 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After one through five years | 148,136 | — | 686,607 | 4,711 | 839,454 | 4.04 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After five through ten years | 19,959 | 1,758 | 1,060,979 | 13,635 | 1,096,331 | 2.46 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After ten years | — | — | 112,177 | — | 112,177 | 2.63 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | $ | 168,095 | $ | 1,758 | $ | 1,860,357 | $ | 18,346 | $ | 2,048,556 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized cost | $ | 165,137 | $ | 1,968 | $ | 2,057,381 | $ | 18,192 | $ | 2,242,678 | 3.01 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted-average yield (2) | 4.15 | % | 1.75 | % | 2.90 | % | 6.06 | % | 3.01 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average maturity years | 4.17 | 5.08 | 5.97 | 4.15 | 5.82 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities (1) | State and local governments | Total | Weighted Average Yield (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities held to maturity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remaining maturity: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| One year or less | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After one through five years | 6,735 | 8,872 | 15,607 | 2.67 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After five through ten years | — | 243,080 | 243,080 | 1.98 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After ten years | — | 254,412 | 254,412 | 2.12 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized cost | $ | 6,735 | $ | 506,364 | $ | 513,099 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value | $ | 6,536 | $ | 441,916 | $ | 448,452 | 2.10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted-average yield (2) | 2.57 | % | 2.09 | % | 2.10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average maturity years | 2.26 | 8.50 | 8.44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Mortgage-backed securities are shown maturing in the periods consistent with their estimated lives based on expected prepayment speeds.
(2)Yields have been computed using coupon interest, adding discount accretion or subtracting premium amortization, as appropriate, on a ratable basis over the life of each security. Weighted average yield for each maturity range has been computed on a fully taxable-equivalent basis using the amortized cost of each security in that range. Yields on tax-exempt investments have been adjusted to a taxable equivalent basis using a 23.05% tax rate.
Nearly all of our $1.9 billion in AFS mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2025 were issued by the FHLMC, FNMA, GNMA, or the SBA, each of which is a GSE and guarantees the repayment of the securities. Included in this total are private-label commercial mortgage-backed securities of $0.7 million. Mortgage-backed securities vary in their repayment in correlation with the underlying pools of mortgage loans.
At December 31, 2025, we held $513.1 million in securities classified as HTM, which are carried at amortized cost. These securities had fair values that were lower than their carrying values by $64.6 million at December 31, 2025. Approximately $6.7 million of the HTM securities were mortgage-backed securities that have been issued by either the FHLMC or FNMA. The remaining $506.4 million in HTM securities were comprised almost entirely of highly-rated municipal bonds issued by state and local governments throughout the nation. We have no significant concentration of bond holdings from one state or local government entity, with the single largest exposure to any one entity being $9.3 million. We have evaluated any unrealized losses on individual securities at each year end and determined them to be of a temporary nature and caused by fluctuations in market interest rates, not by concerns about the ability of the issuers to meet their obligations.
Deposits
Deposits represent the primary funding source for our loans and investments. Total deposits amounted to $10.7 billion at December 31, 2025, an increase of $217.9 million, or 2.1%, from December 31, 2024. Deposit growth for the year was entirely organic as there were no acquisitions during 2025. During 2025, retail deposits grew $222.6 million, or 2.1%, from the prior year end. Brokered deposits ended 2025 at $4.9 million. We continue
50
Table of Contents
to have a diversified and granular deposit base which has remained a stable source of funding. At December 31, 2025, noninterest-bearing deposits accounted for 32% of total deposits. This contributes to our low cost of funds.
The table below presents our historical deposit mix which continues to be predominately transaction and non-time deposit accounts. As demonstrated in the below table, total time deposits have declined to 8% of total deposits at December 31, 2025 from 10% at December 31, 2021. Such a shift in mix is beneficial for us, as non-time deposit accounts generally carry lower interest rates compared to time deposits and we are able to reprice these deposit categories as market rates move over time. Approximately 98% of our time deposits mature within one year.
| Deposit Composition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing checking accounts | $ | 3,486,985 | 32 | % | $ | 3,367,624 | 32 | % | $ | 3,379,876 | 34 | % | $ | 3,566,003 | 39 | % | $ | 3,348,622 | 37 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing checking accounts | 1,420,795 | 13 | % | 1,398,395 | 13 | % | 1,411,142 | 14 | % | 1,514,166 | 16 | % | 1,593,231 | 17 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 4,510,356 | 42 | % | 4,285,405 | 41 | % | 3,653,506 | 36 | % | 2,416,146 | 26 | % | 2,562,283 | 28 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 526,643 | 5 | % | 542,133 | 5 | % | 608,380 | 6 | % | 728,641 | 8 | % | 708,054 | 8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other time deposits | 493,282 | 5 | % | 566,514 | 5 | % | 610,887 | 6 | % | 464,343 | 5 | % | 547,669 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits >$250,000 | 305,473 | 3 | % | 360,854 | 4 | % | 355,209 | 4 | % | 276,319 | 3 | % | 357,355 | 4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total customer deposits | 10,743,534 | 100 | % | 10,520,925 | 100 | % | 10,019,000 | 100 | % | 8,965,618 | 97 | % | 9,117,214 | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered Deposits | 4,887 | — | % | 9,600 | — | % | 12,599 | — | % | 261,911 | 3 | % | 7,415 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 10,748,421 | 100 | % | $ | 10,530,525 | 100 | % | $ | 10,031,599 | 100 | % | $ | 9,227,529 | 100 | % | $ | 9,124,629 | 100 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
While our customer deposits have remained fairly stable, there continues to be competition for deposits by both in-market and out-of-market competitors. We routinely engage in activities designed to grow and retain deposits, including emphasizing relationship banking to new and existing customers where borrowers are encouraged to maintain deposit accounts with us; pricing deposits at rate levels that will attract and/or retain deposits; and continually working to identify and introduce new products that will attract customers or enhance our appeal as a primary provider of financial services.
The table below presents maturities of time deposits which are individually greater than the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 as of December 31, 2025.
| As of December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 3 Months or Less | Over 3 to 6 Months | Over 6 to 12 Months | Over 12 Months | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits greater than the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 | $ | 148,111 | $ | 108,618 | $ | 41,879 | $ | 6,865 | $ | 305,473 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As shown above, time deposits in excess of $250,000 totaled $305.5 million at December 31, 2025. On an individual account basis, there was a total of $159.9 million which was in excess of $250,000. This presentation of time deposit accounts does not evaluate total deposit relationships, account ownership types or other factors for determining the actual uninsured balances by customer.
As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the estimated uninsured deposits we held totaled approximately $4.3 billion and $4.1 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, our insured deposits were estimated to be $6.5 billion, or 60.2% of total deposits, and $6.4 billion or 61.0% of total deposits. When coupled with deposits collateralized by investment securities with balances totaling $730.4 million and $690.5 million as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, approximately 67.0% and 67.6% of our total deposits were insured or collateralized at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
We do not take deposits through foreign offices. Deposits at December 31, 2025 from foreign depositors were nominal.
51
Table of Contents
Borrowings
Although none were outstanding as of December 31, 2025, short-term borrowings can be utilized to provide balance sheet liquidity and to fund imbalances in our loan growth compared to our deposit growth. In addition, we have long-term debt in the form of trust preferred securities and have the availability to borrow from the FHLB or FRB.
Total borrowings at December 31, 2025 decreased $17.3 million from the prior year end. During the year, the Company redeemed $18.0 million of subordinated debentures.
Our borrowings outstanding as of the dates presented were as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | $ | 753 | $ | 802 | ||||||||||
| Trust preferred capital issuances | 77,324 | 77,324 | ||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | — | 18,000 | ||||||||||||
| 78,077 | 96,126 | |||||||||||||
| Unamortized discounts on acquired borrowings | (3,508) | (4,250) | ||||||||||||
| $ | 74,569 | $ | 91,876 | |||||||||||
As noted in the table above, at December 31, 2025, we had $77.3 million of borrowings structured as trust preferred capital securities which qualify as Tier I capital for regulatory capital adequacy requirements. The Company issued $46.4 million of these securities with the balance assumed from acquisitions.
At December 31, 2025, the Company had several sources of readily available borrowing capacity:
•Borrowing capacity with the FHLB of approximately $1.4 billion which can be structured as either short-term or long-term borrowings, depending on the particular funding or liquidity need, and is secured by a blanket lien on most of our real estate loan portfolio, select investment securities, and our FHLB stock (of which $0.8 million were outstanding at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024).
•Federal funds lines with several correspondent banks totaling $265.0 million which provide for overnight unsecured federal funds purchased (of which none were outstanding at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024); and,
•A line of credit with the Federal Reserve through its discount window borrowing program of approximately $763.8 million which is secured by a blanket lien on a portion of our commercial and consumer loan portfolio (excluding real estate loans) and specific investment securities. All of this line was available at both December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
Refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of our borrowings.
Liquidity, Commitments, and Contingencies
Our liquidity is determined by our ability to convert assets to cash or to acquire alternative sources of funds to meet the needs of our customers who are withdrawing or borrowing funds, and our ability to maintain required reserve levels, pay expenses, and operate the Company on an ongoing basis. Our primary liquidity sources are net income from operations, cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, and other short-term investments. Our securities portfolio has a high percentage of amortizing mortgage-backed securities generating monthly cash flows. In addition, the portfolio is comprised almost entirely of readily marketable securities, which could also be sold to provide cash. We also maintain available lines of credit from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve, as well as federal funds lines from several correspondent banks which are summarized below.
At December 31, 2025, the Company had several sources of readily available borrowing capacity as described above in the Borrowings section.
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 or other funding sources). Our overall on-balance sheet liquidity ratio was 14.9% at December 31, 2025. Our total liquidity ratio, including the $2.5 billion in available lines of credit, was 32.8% as of that date. The increase in available lines of credit during 2025
52
Table of Contents
was a result of additional loan and security collateral being transferred to the FHLB to enhance the levels of off-balance sheet liquidity.
We continue to manage liquidity sources and believe our liquidity sources, including unused lines of credit, are at an acceptable level and remain adequate to meet our operating needs in the foreseeable future. We will continue to monitor our liquidity position carefully and will explore and implement strategies to increase liquidity if deemed appropriate.
In the normal course of business we have various outstanding contractual obligations that will require future cash outflows. In addition, there are commitments and contingent liabilities, such as commitments to extend credit, that may or may not require future cash outflows. Certain of the outstanding commitments and contingent liabilities, such as commitments to extend credit, are not reflected in the financial statements.
Presented below is a summary of our contractual obligations and other commercial commitments outstanding as of December 31, 2025.
| Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments Due Per Period ($ in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contractual Obligation as of December 31, 2025 | Less than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 4-5 Years | After 5 Years | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | $ | 51 | $ | 702 | $ | — | $ | 77,324 | $ | 78,077 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 1,616 | 2,589 | 2,119 | 14,802 | 21,126 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits, including brokered deposits | 772,752 | 25,095 | 6,584 | 144 | 804,575 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-qualified postretirement plan liabilities | 575 | 1,179 | 1,148 | 3,883 | 6,785 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Committed LIHTC investment obligations | 36,363 | 70,473 | 1,775 | 2,245 | 110,856 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated interest expense on borrowings and time deposits (1) | 24,702 | 10,672 | 10,445 | 22,114 | 67,933 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total contractual cash obligations | $ | 836,059 | $ | 110,710 | $ | 22,071 | $ | 120,512 | $ | 1,089,352 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Represents forecasted interest expense on borrowings and time deposits based on interest rates and balances at December 31, 2025. Forecasts are based on the contractual maturity of each liability. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period ($ in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Commercial Commitments as of December 31, 2025 | Less than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 4-5 Years | After 5 Years | Total Amounts Committed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lines of credit and loan commitments | 481,630 | 646,349 | 241,310 | 971,034 | 2,340,323 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Standby letters of credit | 25,288 | 5,444 | 91 | — | 30,823 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total commercial commitments | $ | 506,918 | $ | 651,793 | $ | 241,401 | $ | 971,034 | $ | 2,371,146 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As presented in the table above, at December 31, 2025, we had $30.8 million in standby letters of credit outstanding. We had no carrying amount for these standby letters of credit. The nature of standby letters of credit is that of a stand-alone obligation made on behalf of our customers to suppliers of the customers to guarantee payments owed to the suppliers by the customers. The standby letters of credit are generally for terms of one year, at which time they may be renewed for another year if both parties agree. The payment of the guarantees would generally be triggered by a continued nonpayment of an obligation owed by the customer to the supplier. In the event that we are required to honor a standby letter of credit, a note, already executed by the customer, becomes effective providing repayment terms and any collateral.
It has been our experience that deposit withdrawals are generally able to be replaced with new deposits when needed or through short-term advances from the FHLB. We believe that the Bank can meet its contractual cash obligations and existing commitments from normal operations.
Capital Resources and Shareholders’ Equity
Shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2025 amounted to $1.7 billion, a $208.6 million, or 14.4%, increase from December 31, 2024. The two basic components that typically have the largest impact on our shareholders’ equity are net income, which increases shareholders’ equity, and dividends declared, which decreases shareholders’ equity. Additionally, any stock issuances can significantly increase shareholders’ equity, including those associated with acquisitions such as in 2023, and any stock repurchases reduce shareholders’ equity. Finally, fluctuations in the
53
Table of Contents
amount of AOCI, generally driven by market interest rate changes resulting in increases or decreases in unrealized gains/losses on AFS securities, can have a significant impact on total equity. In 2025, the most significant factors that impacted our shareholders' equity were (1) $111.0 million net income reported for 2025, which increased equity, (2) common stock dividends declared of $37.7 million, which reduced equity; and (3) $132.7 million increase in equity related to changes in AOCI driven by lower unrealized losses on AFS securities.
As discussed in “Borrowings” above, we also currently have $77.3 million in trust preferred securities outstanding, all of which qualify as Tier I capital under regulatory standards. We are not aware of any recommendations of regulatory authorities or otherwise which, if they were to be implemented, would have a material effect on our liquidity, capital resources, or operations.
The Company and the Bank must comply with regulatory capital requirements established by the Federal Reserve and the Commissioner. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. The primary source of funds for the payment of dividends by the Company is dividends received from its subsidiary, the Bank. The Bank, as a North Carolina banking corporation, may declare dividends so long as such dividends do not reduce its capital below its applicable required capital (typically, the level of capital required to be deemed “adequately capitalized”). As of December 31, 2025, approximately $1.1 billion of the Company’s investment in the Bank is restricted as to transfer to the Company without obtaining prior regulatory approval.
Our regulatory capital ratios as of December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are presented in the table below. All of our capital ratios significantly exceeded the minimum regulatory thresholds for all periods presented.
| Risk-Based and Leverage Capital Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Risk-Based and Leverage Capital | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Equity Tier I capital: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | $ | 1,654,168 | $ | 1,445,611 | $ | 1,372,380 | ||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net of deferred tax liability | (483,644) | (487,660) | (493,383) | |||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income adjustments | 149,375 | 282,029 | 308,030 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Common Equity Tier I capital | 1,319,899 | 1,239,980 | 1,187,027 | |||||||||||||||||
| Add: Trust preferred securities eligible for Tier I capital treatment | 71,493 | 71,148 | 70,807 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Tier I leverage capital | 1,391,392 | 1,311,128 | 1,257,834 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tier II capital: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Add: Allowable allowance for credit losses and unfunded commitments | 117,202 | 108,320 | 112,491 | |||||||||||||||||
| Add: Subordinated debentures eligible for Tier II capital treatment | — | 17,602 | 27,177 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tier II capital additions | 117,202 | 125,922 | 139,668 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total capital | $ | 1,508,594 | $ | 1,437,050 | $ | 1,397,502 | ||||||||||||||
| Total risk weighted assets | $ | 9,358,794 | $ | 8,642,315 | $ | 8,991,087 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted fourth quarter average tangible assets | $ | 12,407,330 | $ | 11,756,111 | $ | 11,532,812 | ||||||||||||||
| Risk-based and Leverage capital ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common equity Tier I capital to Tier I risk adjusted assets | 14.10 | % | 14.35 | % | 13.20 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Tier I capital to Tier I risk adjusted assets | 14.87 | % | 15.17 | % | 13.99 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total risk-based capital to Tier II risk-adjusted assets | 16.12 | % | 16.63 | % | 15.54 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Tier I leverage capital to adjusted fourth quarter average assets | 11.21 | % | 11.15 | % | 10.91 | % | ||||||||||||||
Our goal is to maintain our capital ratios at levels at least 200 basis points higher than the regulatory “well capitalized” thresholds set for banks. At December 31, 2025, our leverage ratio was 11.21% compared to the regulatory well capitalized bank-level threshold of 4.00% and our total risk-based capital ratio was 16.12% compared to the 10.50% regulatory well capitalized threshold.
The decrease in regulatory capital ratios in 2025 was related to the increase in risk weighted assets and the redemption of $18 million of subordinated debentures, partially offset by retained net income.
54
Table of Contents
In addition to regulatory capital ratios, we also closely monitor our ratio of TCE to tangible assets, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. The TCE ratio was 9.61% at December 31, 2025 compared to 8.22% at December 31, 2024, with the increase of 139 basis points related primarily to the improvement in our AOCI unrealized loss on AFS securities included in equity, partially a result of the securities loss-earnback transaction along with market improvements.
The following table reconciles common equity to tangible common equity and provides the calculation of the TCE ratio:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of Common Equity to TCE | ||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders' common equity | $ | 1,654,168 | $ | 1,445,611 | ||||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles | (483,644) | (487,660) | ||||||||||||
| Tangible common equity | $ | 1,170,524 | $ | 957,951 | ||||||||||
| Reconciliation of Total Assets to Tangible Assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 12,668,339 | $ | 12,147,694 | ||||||||||
| Less: Goodwill and other intangibles | (483,644) | (487,660) | ||||||||||||
| Tangible assets | $ | 12,184,695 | $ | 11,660,034 | ||||||||||
| TCE divided by Tangible Assets | 9.61 | % | 8.22 | % | ||||||||||
See “Supervision and Regulation” under “Business” in Item 1. and Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of other matters that may affect our capital resources.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Derivative Financial Instruments
Off-balance sheet arrangements include transactions, agreements, or other contractual arrangements pursuant to which we have obligations or provide guarantees on behalf of an unconsolidated entity. We have no off-balance sheet arrangements of this kind other than letters of credit and repayment guarantees associated with our trust preferred securities and subordinated debentures.
In the normal course of business, we are exposed to certain risks arising from both our business operations and economic conditions. As an element of our risk management strategies, we may enter into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. Derivative financial instruments include futures, forwards, interest rate swaps, options contracts, and other financial instruments with similar characteristics.
We do not engage in significant derivatives activities, however, in 2023 to accommodate customers, we implemented a program whereby we enter into interest rate swaps with certain commercial loan customers, with offsetting positions to dealers under a back-to-back swap program. At December 31, 2025, the Company's derivative financial instruments consist entirely of customer back-to-back interest rate swaps which are not designated as hedges. Under this program, the Company executes interest rate swaps with commercial banking customers to facilitate their risk management strategies. Those interest rate swaps are simultaneously economically hedged by offsetting derivatives that the Company executes with a third party, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions. As the interest rate derivatives associated with this program are not designated as hedging instruments, changes in the fair value of both the customer derivatives and the offsetting derivatives are recognized directly in earnings. Refer to Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of our derivative positions.
Current Accounting Matters
We prepare our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with standards established by, among others, the FASB. Because the information needed by users of financial reports is dynamic, the FASB frequently issues new rules and proposes new rules for companies to apply in reporting their activities. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent rule proposals and changes.
55
Table of Contents
Selected Financial Information
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income Statement Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 557,235 | $ | 519,240 | $ | 488,944 | $ | 341,118 | $ | 255,918 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 158,988 | 186,967 | 142,101 | 16,103 | 9,523 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | 398,247 | 332,273 | 346,843 | 325,015 | 246,395 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 11,502 | 16,448 | 17,813 | 12,400 | 15,031 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income after provision | 386,745 | 315,825 | 329,030 | 312,615 | 231,364 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income | (7,935) | 17,899 | 57,305 | 67,824 | 73,611 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 239,310 | 235,607 | 254,379 | 195,220 | 184,656 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 139,500 | 98,117 | 131,956 | 185,219 | 120,319 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 28,452 | 21,902 | 27,825 | 38,283 | 24,675 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 111,048 | 76,215 | 104,131 | 146,936 | 95,644 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Per Common Share Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per common share – basic | $ | 2.68 | $ | 1.85 | $ | 2.54 | $ | 4.12 | $ | 3.19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per common share – diluted | 2.68 | 1.84 | 2.53 | 4.12 | 3.19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 0.91 | 0.88 | 0.88 | 0.88 | 0.80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| High | 55.55 | 49.20 | 43.24 | 49.00 | 50.92 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Low | 36.02 | 29.79 | 26.48 | 32.90 | 32.47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Close | 50.79 | 43.97 | 37.01 | 42.84 | 45.72 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stated book value – common | 39.89 | 34.96 | 33.38 | 28.89 | 34.54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common shares outstanding at year end | 41,466,227 | 41,347,418 | 41,109,987 | 35,704,154 | 35,629,177 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selected Balance Sheet Data (at year end) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 12,668,339 | $ | 12,147,694 | $ | 12,114,942 | $ | 10,625,049 | $ | 10,508,901 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | 8,722,419 | 8,094,676 | 8,150,102 | 6,665,145 | 6,081,715 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | (123,581) | (122,572) | (109,853) | 90,967 | 78,789 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets | 495,982 | 501,654 | 508,257 | 372,933 | 376,618 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | 10,748,421 | 10,530,525 | 10,031,599 | 9,227,529 | 9,124,629 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 74,569 | 91,876 | 630,158 | 287,507 | 67,386 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 1,654,168 | 1,445,611 | 1,372,380 | 1,031,596 | 1,230,575 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selected Average Balances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 12,512,030 | 12,134,495 | 12,033,033 | 10,556,772 | 8,495,645 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | 8,283,246 | 8,046,681 | 7,902,628 | 6,293,319 | 5,018,391 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earning assets | 11,699,360 | 11,508,581 | 11,433,492 | 9,989,242 | 7,871,319 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | 10,752,463 | 10,408,082 | 10,176,966 | 9,283,527 | 7,401,910 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 7,335,923 | 7,274,014 | 7,037,105 | 5,758,001 | 4,736,343 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 1,549,873 | 1,416,461 | 1,293,085 | 1,097,385 | 969,775 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average assets | 0.89 | % | 0.63 | % | 0.87 | % | 1.39 | % | 1.13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average common equity | 7.16 | % | 5.38 | % | 8.05 | % | 13.40 | % | 9.86 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total risk-based capital ratio | 16.12 | % | 16.63 | % | 15.54 | % | 15.09 | % | 14.67 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | 3.40 | % | 2.89 | % | 3.03 | % | 3.25 | % | 3.13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (taxable-equivalent basis) | 3.42 | % | 2.93 | % | 3.06 | % | 3.28 | % | 3.16 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans to deposits at year end | 81.15 | % | 76.87 | % | 81.24 | % | 72.23 | % | 66.65 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses to total loans | 1.42 | % | 1.51 | % | 1.35 | % | 1.36 | % | 1.30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets at year end | 0.30 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.36 | % | 0.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (charge-offs) recoveries to average total loans | (0.10 | %) | (0.07 | %) | (0.08 | %) | (0.01 | %) | (0.05 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note - During both 2023 and 2021, the Company completed significant acquisitions impacting the comparisons for each of those years. See additional discussion under "Recent Developments and Acquisitions" in Item 1. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
56
Table of Contents
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, exchange rates, and equity prices. The Company’s market risk is composed primarily of interest rate risk inherent in the normal course of lending, investing and deposit-taking activities. We do not have any trading assets or activities.
Interest Rate Risk
Net interest income is our most significant component of earnings and we consider interest rate risk to be our most significant market risk. Our net interest income results from the difference between the yields we earn on our interest-earning assets, primarily loans and investments, and the rates that we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, primarily deposits and borrowings. When interest rates change, the yields we earn on our interest-earning assets and the rates we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities do not necessarily move in tandem with each other because of the difference between their maturities and repricing characteristics and this can negatively impact net interest income.
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, influence not only the interest we receive on loans and investments and the amount of interest we pay on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect the average duration of our mortgage portfolio, investment securities and other interest-earning assets.
Our goal is to structure our asset/liability composition to maximize net interest income while managing interest rate risk so as to minimize the adverse impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income and capital in either a rising or declining interest rate environment. Profitability is affected by fluctuations in interest rates. A sudden and substantial change in interest rates may adversely impact our earnings because the interest rates of the underlying assets and liabilities do not change at the same speed, to the same extent or on the same basis.
Interest rate risk is monitored through the use of three complementary modeling tools: static gap analysis, earnings simulation modeling, and economic value simulation (net present value estimation). Each of these models measures changes in a variety of interest rate scenarios. While each of the interest rate risk models has limitations, taken together they represent a reasonably comprehensive view of the magnitude of our interest rate risk, the level of risk through time, and the amount of exposure to changes in certain interest rate relationships. Static gap, which measures aggregate repricing values, is less utilized because it only measures the magnitude of the timing differences and does not address repricing lags, market influences, or management actions. Earnings simulation and economic value models, which more effectively measure the cash flow and optionality impacts, are utilized by management on a regular basis and are discussed further below. From the various model results and our expectations regarding future interest rate movements, the national, regional and local economies, and other financial and business risk factors, we quantify the overall magnitude of interest sensitivity risk and then determine appropriate strategies and practices governing asset growth and pricing, funding sources and pricing, and off-balance sheet commitments.
Earnings Simulation Analysis
We use net interest income simulations which measure the short-term earnings exposure from changes in market rates of interest. The model calculates an earnings estimate based on current and projected balances and rates, incorporating our current financial position with assumptions regarding future business to calculate net interest income under varying hypothetical rate scenarios. This method is subject to the accuracy of the assumptions that underlie the process, but it provides a better analysis of the sensitivity of earnings to changes in interest rates than other analyses, such as the static gap analysis.
Assumptions used in the model are derived from historical trends and management’s outlook. The model assumes a static balance sheet with cash flows reinvested in similar instruments to maintain the balance sheet levels and current composition. Actual cash flows and repricing characteristics for our balance sheet instruments are input to the model. The model incorporates market-based assumptions regarding the impact of changing interest rates on the prepayment rate of certain assets and liabilities. Because these assumptions are inherently uncertain, actual results may differ from simulated results.
57
Table of Contents
Different interest rate scenarios and yield curves are used to measure the sensitivity of earnings to changing interest rates in both a "shocked" instantaneous parallel move and a "steepening" move of rates. Interest rates on different asset and liability accounts move differently when the federal funds rate changes and such assumptions are reflected in the different rate scenarios. The model does not take into account any future actions that management may take to mitigate the impact of interest rate changes, and it is our strategy to proactively change the volume and mix of our balance sheet in order to mitigate our interest rate risk.
The following table presents the estimated net interest income sensitivity over a 12-month horizon for the specified rate change levels presented. This change in interest rates assumes parallel shifts in the yield curve and does not take into account changes in the slope of the yield curve. Further, the estimations are based upon the Company's balance sheet as of period end and is not comparing future results to prior results, but rather comparing hypothetical future results under differing rate scenarios.
Percentage change in Net Interest Income (1) | ||||||||||||||
| Change in Interest Rates (in basis points) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| + 400 | 6.3% | 2.3% | ||||||||||||
| + 300 | 5.7% | 2.8% | ||||||||||||
| + 200 | 4.6% | 3.3% | ||||||||||||
| + 100 | 3.5% | 4.3% | ||||||||||||
| - 100 | (2.1)% | (0.1)% | ||||||||||||
| - 200 | (4.0)% | (0.8)% | ||||||||||||
| - 300 | (5.2)% | (1.4)% | ||||||||||||
| - 400 | (7.6)% | (2.3)% | ||||||||||||
(1) - The percentage change represents the projected net interest income for 12 months on a static balance sheet in a stable rate environment as compared to the projected net interest income in the various rate scenarios with immediate and parallel shocks applied to the yield curve.
During the last four months of 2024, the FOMC decreased short term rates 100 basis points with a target federal funds rate of 4.25% - 4.50% at December 31, 2024. Further, during the last four months of 2025, the FOMC again decreased short term rates another 75 basis points with a target federal funds rate of 3.50%-3.75% at December 31, 2025. As evidenced by our results for 2024 and 2025, the Company has reacted quickly to interest rate cuts by the FOMC and thus reduced the Company's total cost of deposits, thereby increasing net interest income. As of December 31, 2025, assuming no change in the shape of the yield curve, the Company is reflecting an asset sensitive position. Given the decline in the short term rates from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025, the declining rate scenarios for the current year reflect the impact of deposit accounts approaching or reaching minimum rate levels.
The shape of the yield curve also has a significant impact on the earnings of financial institutions, including the Company. Generally speaking, when the yield curve is flat or inverted over time, banks experience a decrease in net interest income. Conversely, a positively sloping yield curve over time is generally favorable for financial institutions. Any additional flattening or inversion of the yield curve could have a material negative impact on the Company.
The Company continues to actively manage interest rate risk through the addition of variable rate assets and the pricing of interest bearing deposits. The model results demonstrated in the above table are based on the immediate shock of each of the various rate scenarios and assume a consistent future slope (or lack thereof) of the yield curve (i.e. a parallel shift of the yield curve) in both a rising and falling rate scenario.
As previously noted, these assumptions are inherently uncertain, and actual results may differ from simulated results. Further, the interest rate simulation models do not take into consideration growth, changes in balance sheet mix or composition, or other strategies that management would employee in either a rising or a falling rate scenario.
Economic Value Simulation
Economic value simulation is used to calculate the estimated fair value of assets and liabilities over different interest rate environments. Economic values are calculated based on discounted cash flow analysis. The net economic value of equity is the economic value of all assets minus the economic value of all liabilities. The change in net economic value over different rate environments is an indication of the longer-term earnings capability of the
58
Table of Contents
balance sheet. The same assumptions are used in the economic value simulation as in the earnings simulation. The economic value simulation uses instantaneous rate shocks to the balance sheet and assumes a static average life of deposits in all interest rate scenarios.
The following table presents the estimated change in net economic value for the specified change levels presented. This change in interest rates assumes parallel shifts in the yield curve and does not take into account changes in the slope of the yield curve.
Percentage change in Economic Value of Equity (1) | ||||||||||||||
| Change in Interest Rates (in basis points) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| + 400 | (4.2)% | (3.0)% | ||||||||||||
| + 300 | (2.7)% | (2.0)% | ||||||||||||
| + 200 | (1.6)% | (1.3)% | ||||||||||||
| + 100 | (0.1)% | 0.2% | ||||||||||||
| - 100 | (1.5)% | (1.2)% | ||||||||||||
| - 200 | (5.3)% | (5.1)% | ||||||||||||
| - 300 | (11.0)% | (11.8)% | ||||||||||||
| - 400 | (21.0)% | (21.0)% | ||||||||||||
(1) - The percentage change represents our economic value of equity in a stable rate environment as compared to the economic value of equity in the various rate scenarios with immediate and parallel shocks applied to the yield curve.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company's EVE variability has remained relatively consistent across rate levels compared to 2024. Portions of the Company's deposits are nearing their modeled floor rates and therefore reflect a negative projected change in value for the more pronounced rate declines. Refer also to the discussion above under Earnings Simulation Analysis.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Our financial statements included in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires the financial position and operating results to be measured principally in terms of historic dollars without considering the change in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation.
Nearly all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are monetary in nature, and as such, changes in interest rates (as discussed above) generally affect the financial condition of the Company to a greater degree than changes in the rate of inflation. Although interest rates are greatly influenced by changes in the inflation rate, they do not necessarily change at the same rate or in the same magnitude as the inflation rate. Inflation affects the Company’s results of operations mainly through increased operating costs, and the impact of inflation on banks in general is normally not as significant as its influence on those businesses that have large investments in plant and inventories. We review pricing of our products and services, as well as our controllable operating and labor costs in light of current and expected costs due to inflation, to mitigate the inflationary impact on financial performance to the extent possible.
59
Table of Contents
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
First Bancorp
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||
Cash and due from banks, noninterest-bearing | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Due from banks, interest-bearing | ||||||||||||||
Total cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||||
Securities available for sale (amortized cost of $ | ||||||||||||||
Securities held to maturity (fair values of $ | ||||||||||||||
| Presold mortgages in process of settlement | ||||||||||||||
Loans | ||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses on loans | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net loans | ||||||||||||||
| Premises and equipment, net | ||||||||||||||
Accrued interest receivable | ||||||||||||||
Goodwill | ||||||||||||||
| Other intangible assets, net | ||||||||||||||
Bank-owned life insurance | ||||||||||||||
Other assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Deposits | ||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing deposits | ||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | ||||||||||||||
Borrowings | ||||||||||||||
Accrued interest payable | ||||||||||||||
Other liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (see Note 12) | ||||||||||||||
Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||
Preferred stock, no par value per share. Authorized: | ||||||||||||||
Issued & outstanding: | ||||||||||||||
Common stock, no par value per share. Authorized: | ||||||||||||||
Issued & outstanding: | ||||||||||||||
Retained earnings | ||||||||||||||
Stock in rabbi trust assumed in acquisition | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Rabbi trust obligation | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
60
Table of Contents
First Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Income
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest Income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest and fees on loans | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Interest on investment securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Taxable interest income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tax-exempt interest income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other, principally overnight investments | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total interest income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on deposits | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on borrowings | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income after provision for credit losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
Noninterest Income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other service charges and fees | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Presold mortgage loan fees and gains on sale | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions from sales of financial products | ||||||||||||||||||||
| SBA loan sale gains | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities losses, net | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total noninterest income | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest Expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries incentives and commissions expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefit expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total personnel expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupancy and equipment expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
Merger and acquisition expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangibles amortization expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per common share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
61
Table of Contents
First Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period, pretax | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax (expense) benefit | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification to realized losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
Postretirement plans: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (losses) gains arising during period | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit (expense) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized net actuarial (losses) gains | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit (expense) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of net actuarial losses due to settlement to realized losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
62
Table of Contents
First Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | Common stock | Retained earnings | Stock in rabbi trust assumed in acquisition | Rabbi trust obligation | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared ($ | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Rabbi Trust Obligation | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity issued pursuant to acquisition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock option exercises | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock withheld for payment of taxes | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2023 | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared ($ | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Rabbi Trust Obligation | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock option exercises | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock withheld for payment of taxes | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2024 | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared ($ | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Rabbi Trust Obligation | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock repurchases | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock option exercises | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock withheld for payment of taxes | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
63
Table of Contents
First Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net security premium amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Loan discount accretion | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Deposit and debt discount accretion, net | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreclosed real estate gains, net | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Securities losses, net | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other (gains) losses, net | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance income | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Net amortization of deferred loan costs/(fees) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation of premises and equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayments of lease obligations | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization and impairment of SBA servicing assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains on sale of loans | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Origination of presold mortgage loans and SBA loans held for sale | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of presold mortgage loans and SBA loans | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in accrued interest receivable | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in other assets | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Decrease) increase in accrued interest payable | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Decrease) increase in other liabilities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of securities available for sale | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal repayments of securities available for sale | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal repayments of securities held to maturity | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of VISA B shares | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of Federal Reserve and FHLB stock | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Redemptions of Federal Reserve and FHLB stock | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from bank owned life insurance death benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of other investments | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Net (increase) decrease in loans | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of premises and equipment | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash received in acquisition activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in deposits | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from the issuance of FHLB and FRB borrowings | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayment of FHLB and FRB borrowings | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Repayment of subordinated debentures | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends paid – common stock | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from stock option exercises | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Payment of taxes related to stock withheld | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided (used) by financing activities | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
(Continued)
64
Table of Contents
First Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Continued)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid during the period for interest | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid during the period for income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid during the period for the purchase of transferable tax credits | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash: Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash: Foreclosed loans transferred to foreclosed real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash: Accrued dividends at end of period | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash: Cancellation of operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash: Initial recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash: Revision of operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash: Affordable housing investments obtained in exchange for funding commitments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of GrandSouth Bancorporation | — | — | See Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
65
Table of Contents
First Bancorp
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2025
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Bancorp (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary First Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank has two wholly owned subsidiaries that are fully consolidated, Magnolia Financial, Inc. ("Magnolia Financial") and First Troy SPE, LLC. The Company is a bank holding company. The principal activity of the Company is the ownership and operation of the Bank, a state chartered bank with its main office in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Magnolia Financial is a business financing company that makes loans throughout the southeastern United States. First Troy SPE, LLC was formed in order to hold and dispose of certain real estate foreclosed upon by the Bank. The Company is also the parent company for a series of statutory trusts that were formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred debt securities. The trusts are not consolidated for financial reporting purposes as they are variable interest entities and the Company is not the primary beneficiary.
The Bank formerly operated a third subsidiary, SBA Complete, Inc. ("SBA Complete"), which specialized in providing consulting services for financial institutions across the country related to Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loan origination and servicing. During the second quarter of 2024, SBA Complete became inactive with certain activities transitioning to the Bank.
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2024 and 2023 consolidated financial statements to be comparable to 2025. These reclassifications had no effect on net income. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date of filing this Annual Report Form 10-K.
Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates made by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements are the determination of the allowance for credit losses on loans and the allowance for unfunded commitments.
Business Combinations – The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The accounts of an acquired entity are included as of the date of acquisition, and any excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired is capitalized as goodwill. Under this method, all identifiable assets acquired, including purchased loans, and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value.
The Company typically issues common stock and/or pays cash for an acquisition, depending on the terms of the acquisition agreement. The value of common shares issued is determined based on the market price of the stock as of the closing of the acquisition.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid assets with original maturities of 90 days or less, such as cash on hand, noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing amounts due from banks and federal funds sold, to be “cash equivalents.”
Securities - Debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” ("HTM") and carried at amortized cost. Debt securities not classified as held to maturity are classified as “available for sale” ("AFS") and carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses being reported as other comprehensive income or loss and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
66
Table of Contents
Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums or discounts. Premiums and discounts are generally amortized and accreted into income on a level yield basis, with premiums being amortized to the earliest call date and discounts being accreted to the stated maturity date. Gains and losses on sales of securities are recognized at the time of sale based upon the specific identification method.
A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become 90 days delinquent. Interest accrued but not received for a security placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income.
Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL") - Securities Held to Maturity - The Company measures expected credit losses on HTM debt securities on a pooled basis in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 326 ("CECL"). The estimate of expected credit losses is primarily based on the ratings assigned to the securities by debt rating agencies and the average of the annual historical loss rates associated with those ratings. The Company then multiplies those loss rates, as adjusted for any modifications to reflect current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts as considered necessary, by the remaining lives of each individual security to arrive at a lifetime expected loss amount. The CECL assumptions, including reasonable and supportable forecast periods, reversion method, and prepayments as applicable, are consistent with those utilized for the ACL on loans as discussed further below. Virtually all of the mortgage-backed securities held by the Company are issued by government-sponsored enterprises ("GSEs"). These securities are either explicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government or guaranteed by GSEs that have credit ratings and perceived credit risk comparable to the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. Substantially all of the state and local government securities held by the Company are highly rated by major rating agencies. Accrued interest receivable on HTM debt securities was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Securities Available for Sale - For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security's amortized cost basis is written down to fair value. For debt securities AFS that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether any decline in fair value is due to credit loss factors. In making this assessment, management considers any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses on AFS securities is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Changes in the ACL under CECL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an AFS security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Accrued interest receivable on AFS debt securities was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
Presold Mortgages Held for Sale - As a part of normal business operations, the Company originates residential mortgage loans that have been pre-approved by secondary investors to be sold on a best efforts basis. The terms of the loans are set by the secondary investors, and the purchase price that the investor will pay for the loan is agreed to prior to the funding of the loan by the Company. Loans are transferred to the investor in a short period following funding in accordance with the agreed-upon terms. The Company records gains from the sale of these loans on the settlement date of the sale equal to the difference between the proceeds received and the carrying amount of the loan. Additionally, the Company records gains for loans in the process of closing, based on the changes in fair value of the loans and related commitments. Between the initial funding of the loans by the Company and the subsequent reimbursement by the investors, the Company carries the loans on its balance sheet at fair value.
Loans - Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts and deferred fees and costs. receivable related to these loans totaled $29.8 million at December 31, 2025 and $27.6 million at December 31, 2024, and was reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheets. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using methods that approximate a level yield without anticipating prepayments.
67
Table of Contents
Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. A loan is considered to be past due when a scheduled payment has not been received 30 days after the contractual due date. The accrual of interest is generally discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due and is not well collateralized and in the process of collection, or when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the principal or interest will not be collectible in the normal course of business. All accrued interest is reversed against interest income when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. So long as a loan is on nonaccrual status, interest received on such loans is accounted for using the cost-recovery method. Under the cost-recovery method, interest income is not recognized until the loan balance is reduced to zero. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current, there is a sustained period of repayment performance, and future payments are reasonably assured.
Purchased Financial Assets with Credit Deterioration ("PCD") - Loans acquired in a business combination that have experienced more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are considered PCD loans. In determining whether an acquired loan is a PCD loan, the Company considers internal loan grades, delinquency status, and other relevant factors.
At the acquisition date, an estimate of expected credit losses is made for groups of PCD loans with similar risk characteristics and individual PCD loans without similar risk characteristics. The initial amortized cost of PCD loans is determined by reducing the loans par value by the initial ACL, with any difference between the resulting amount and the loans purchase price or acquisition date fair value recorded as a non-credit-related discount or premium. Discounts and premiums are recognized through interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loans. Subsequent to initial recognition, PCD loans are subject to the same interest income recognition and impairment model as non-PCD loans, with changes to the ACL recorded through provision expense.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans - The ACL is an estimate that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial assets. The level of the allowance is determined under the CECL methodology and includes management's evaluation of historical default and loss experience, current and projected economic conditions, asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers' ability to repay a loan (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, reasonable and supportable forecasts, and other pertinent factors.
Credit losses are estimated on the amortized cost basis of loans, which includes the principal balance outstanding, purchase discounts and premiums, and deferred loan fees and costs. Accrued interest receivable is presented separately on the consolidated balance sheets and excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Loans are charged off when the Company determines that such financial assets are deemed uncollectible. The ACL is increased through provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries.
The ACL is measured on a collective basis for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics. The Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) method is utilized for substantially all pools, with discounted cash flows computed for each loan in a pool based on its individual characteristics (e.g. maturity date, payment amount, interest rate, etc.), and the results are aggregated at the pool level. A probability of default and loss given default, as adjusted for recoveries, are applied to the discounted cash flows for each pool, while considering prepayment and principal curtailment assumptions. When the DCF method is used to determine the ACL, management adjusts the effective interest rate used to discount expected cash flows to incorporate expected prepayments. When management determines that foreclosure is probable or when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.
The Company has identified the following primary pools for measuring expected credit losses. There are additional sub-segmentations within each pool, including risk categories.
•Owner occupied commercial real estate loans - Owner occupied commercial real estate mortgage loans are secured by commercial office buildings, industrial buildings, warehouses or retail buildings where the owner of the building occupies the property. For such loans, repayment is largely dependent upon the operation of the borrower's business. The Company generally requires loan to value of 80 % or lower and debt service coverage of 1.30 x or better. Terms outside of these guidelines will have strengths to mitigate additional risk.
•Non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans - These loans represent investment real estate loans secured by office buildings, industrial buildings, warehouses, retail buildings, and multifamily residential housing. Repayment is primarily dependent on lease income generated from the underlying collateral. The
68
Table of Contents
Company generally requires loan to value of 80 % or lower, debt service coverage of 1.30 x or better and overall lease terms to match or extend beyond the term of the loan.
•Consumer real estate mortgage loans - Consumer real estate mortgage consists primarily of loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties, including home equity lines of credit. Repayment is primarily dependent on the personal cash flow of the borrower and may be affected by changes in general economic conditions. The Company generally requires a debt-to-income below 40 % on all home equity lines of credit with loan to value generally 80 % or less and a minimum credit score of 660 . Portfolio mortgage loans will vary depending on the product, but generally require credit scores of 640 or greater, debt to income below 50 % and loan to value maximum of 90 %.
•Construction and land development loans - This pool includes loans where the repayment is dependent on the successful completion and eventual sale, refinance or operation of the related real estate project and are thus impacted by market demand and real estate valuations. Construction and land development loans include 1-4 family construction projects and commercial construction projects. Residential construction loans for resale generally have a loan to value of 85 % or lower. Loan to value would generally be under 80 % for commercial speculative construction projects. Owner occupied and non-owner occupied commercial construction projects are underwritten to standard guidelines discussed above.
•Commercial and industrial loans - These loans include loans to business enterprises issued for commercial, industrial and/or other professional purposes. These loans are generally secured by equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable of the borrower and repayment is primarily dependent on business cash flows. Commercial and Industrial loans generally require debt service coverage of 1.25 x or better. The Company typically limits equipment and accounts receivable to loan to value of 80 % and eligible inventory limited to 40 % loan to value.
•Consumer and other loans - Consumer and other loans include all loans issued to individuals not included in the consumer real estate mortgage classification, including automobile loans, consumer credit cards and loans to finance education, among others. Many consumer loans are unsecured and repayment is primarily dependent on the personal cash flow of the borrower which may be impacted by changes in economic conditions and unemployment. The Company generally limits consumer loans to those clients with a minimum 660 credit score and debt-to-income below 40 %. Loan to value will vary based on the collateral type and useful life.
In determining the proper level of default rates and loss given default, management has determined that the loss experience of the Company provides the best basis for its assessment of expected credit losses. It therefore utilizes its own historical credit loss experience by each loan segment over an economic cycle, while excluding loss experience from certain acquired institutions. Management considers forward-looking information in estimating expected credit losses. For substantially all segments of loans, the Company incorporates two or more macroeconomic drivers using a statistical regression modeling methodology. The Company subscribes to a third-party service which provides a quarterly macroeconomic baseline forecast and alternative scenarios for the United States economy. The baseline forecast, which incorporates an equal probability of the United States economy performing better or worse than the projection, along with the alternative scenarios, are evaluated by management to determine the best forecast to use for macroeconomic factors in the model.
Management has also evaluated the appropriateness of the reasonable and supportable forecast scenarios utilized for each period and has made adjustments as needed. For the contractual term that extends beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts to the long-term mean of historical factors over 12 quarters using a straight-line approach. The Company generally utilizes a four-quarter forecast and a 12-quarter reversion period to the long-term average, which is then held static for the remainder of the life of the loans.
Included in its systematic methodology to determine its ACL on loans, management considers the need to qualitatively adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation process. This is done through the use of a scorecard, which considers, through the use of weighting and risk scoring, a range of maximum and minimum loss rates and can either increase or decrease the quantitative model estimation (i.e., formulaic model results). Through the use of the score card, each period the Company considers qualitative factors that are relevant within the qualitative framework that includes the following: 1) changes in lending policies, procedures, and strategies, 2) changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio, 3) staff experience, 4) changes in volume and trends in classified loans, delinquencies, and nonaccrual loans, 5) concentration risk, 6) trends in underlying collateral value, 7) external factors, including competition and legal and regulatory factors, 8) changes in the quality of the Company's loan review system, and 9) economic conditions not already captured.
69
Table of Contents
Allowance for Credit Losses - Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposure - The Company estimates expected credit losses on commitments to extend credit over the contractual period (unfunded commitments) in which the Company is exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for unfunded commitments, which is reflected within "Other liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets is adjusted for as an increase or decrease to the provision for credit losses for unfunded commitments. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The allowance is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to fund.
SBA Servicing Assets - When the Company sells the guaranteed portion of an SBA loan, the Company continues to perform the servicing on the loan and collects a fee related to the sold portion of the loan. A SBA servicing asset is recorded for the fair value of that fee based on an analysis of discounted cash flows that incorporates estimates of (1) market servicing costs, (2) market-based prepayment rates, and (3) market profit margins. SBA servicing assets are included in “Other assets” on the consolidated balance sheets. SBA servicing assets are initially recorded at fair value and amortized against income over the lives of the related loans as a reduction of servicing fee income, generally five years . SBA servicing asset amortization expense is recorded in noninterest income as an offset to SBA servicing fees within the line item "Other service charges and fees" on the consolidated statement of income. SBA servicing assets are tested for impairment on a quarterly basis by comparing their estimated fair values, aggregated by year of origination, to the related carrying values. Changes in observable market data relating to market interest rates, loan prepayment speeds, and other factors, could result in impairment or reversal of impairment of these servicing assets and, as such, impact the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
Transfers of Financial Assets - Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over financial assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. If the sale criteria are not met, the transfer is recorded as a secured borrowing in which the assets remain on the balance sheet and the proceeds from the transaction are recognized as a liability.
Premises and Equipment - Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Recorded within noninterest expense as "Occupancy expense" on the consolidated statements of income, depreciation, computed by the straight-line method, is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the properties or, in the case of leasehold improvements, over the term of the lease, if shorter. Land is carried at cost. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations in the year incurred. Gains and losses on dispositions are included in current
70
Table of Contents
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Identifiable intangible assets, primarily core deposit intangibles ("CDI"), are recognized separately and are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which for the Company has generally been to ten years and at an accelerated rate. Goodwill is recognized in business combinations to the extent that the price paid exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired, including any identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is subject to fair value impairment tests on at least an annual basis.
Other Investments – The Company accounts for its investments in limited partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”) using the equity method of accounting if the percentage ownership and degree of management influence in the investments warrants such accounting treatment. Other investments are recorded in "Other assets" on the consolidated balance sheets. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company records its initial investment at cost. Subsequently, the carrying amount of the investment is increased or decreased to reflect the Company’s share of income or loss of the investee, recorded within noninterest income as "Other income, net" on the consolidated statements of income. The Company’s recognition of earnings or losses from an equity method investment is based on the Company’s ownership percentage in the investee and the investee’s earnings on a quarterly basis. The investees generally provide their financial information during the quarter following the end of a given period. The Company’s policy is to record its share of earnings or losses on equity method investments in the quarter the financial information is received.
All of the Company’s investments in limited partnerships and LLCs and their market values are not readily available. The Company’s management evaluates its investments in investees for impairment based on the investee’s ability to generate cash through its operations or obtain alternative financing, and other subjective factors. There are inherent risks associated with the Company’s investments in such companies, which may result in income statement volatility in future periods.
71
Table of Contents
Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock - The Company is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors. FHLB stock is carried at cost and is recorded in "Other assets" on the consolidated balance sheets. Cash dividends are reported as income, recorded within interest income in the "Other, principally overnight investments" line on the consolidated statements of income.
Federal Reserve Bank ("Federal Reserve", "FRB") Stock - The Company is a member of its regional Federal Reserve and is required to own stock based on its level of capital. Federal Reserve stock is carried at cost and is recorded in "Other assets" on the consolidated balance sheets. Cash dividends are reported as income, recorded within interest income in the "Other, principally overnight investments" line on the consolidated statements of income.
Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments - Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted stock awards are the primary form of equity grant utilized by the Company. Compensation cost is based on the fair value of the award, which is the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. Restricted stock awards issued by the Company typically have vesting periods with service conditions. Compensation cost is recognized as expense over the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Because of the insignificant amount of forfeitures the Company has experienced, forfeitures are recognized as they occur.
Earnings Per Share ("EPS") Amounts - Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income, less income allocated to participating securities, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding unvested shares of restricted stock. For the Company, participating securities are comprised of unvested shares of restricted stock. Diluted EPS is computed by assuming the issuance of common shares for all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the reporting period. For the periods presented, the Company’s potentially dilutive common stock issuances related to unvested shares of restricted stock, dilutive stock options and contingently issuable shares which are determined using the treasury stock method. If any of the potentially dilutive common stock issuances have an anti-dilutive effect, the potentially dilutive common stock issuance is disregarded.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument, as more fully described in Note 14. Because no highly liquid market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
Impairment - Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on at least an annual basis, and more often if a triggering event is identified, by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its related carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company utilizes various valuation techniques to determine whether the implied fair value of the goodwill exceeds its carrying value. If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recorded in an amount equal to that excess.
72
Table of Contents
The Company reviews all other long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company’s policy is that an impairment loss is recognized if the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. Any long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. To date, the Company has not recorded any impairment write-downs of its long-lived assets or goodwill.
Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive income (loss) includes revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that are excluded from earnings under current accounting standards, primarily unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities and unrealized and realized gains and losses on postretirement benefit plans.
Segment Reporting - Accounting standards require management to report selected financial and descriptive information about reportable operating segments that exceed certain thresholds. The standards also require related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. Generally, disclosures are required for segments internally identified to evaluate performance and resource allocation. The Company’s operations are substantially all within a single banking segment, and the financial statements presented herein reflect the combined results of all of its operations with that segment. The Company has no foreign operations or customers.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - The Company occasionally enters into derivative financial instruments as part of its interest rate risk management strategies. These derivative financial instruments consist primarily of interest rate swaps to accommodate certain commercial loan customers, with offsetting positions to dealers under a back-to-back swap program. All derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset (included in "Other assets") or liability (included in "Other liabilities") at their fair value. The Company has master netting agreements with the counterparties with which it does business, but reflects gross assets and liabilities at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.
The accounting for the gain or loss resulting from the change in fair value depends on the intended use of the derivative. The Company classifies its derivative financial instruments as either (1) a hedge of an exposure to changes in the fair value of a recorded asset or liability (“fair value hedge”), (2) a hedge of an exposure to changes in the cash flows of a recognized asset, liability or forecasted transaction (“cash flow hedge”), or (3) derivatives not designated as accounting hedges ("undesignated hedges"). As of December 31, 2025, the Company has only entered into derivatives classified as undesignated hedges for which changes in fair value are recognized in current period earnings in either noninterest income or noninterest expense.
The Company also originates certain residential mortgage loans with the intention of selling these loans. The Company enters into forward sale agreements to mitigate risk and to protect the expected gain on the eventual loan sale. The commitments to originate residential mortgage loans and forward loan sales commitments are freestanding derivative instruments which are entered into as part of an economic hedging strategy to manage exposure related to mortgage loans held for sale.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Adopted in 2025
ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” amended existing guidance to improve the transparency of income tax disclosures, including disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation, providing additional information for certain reconciling items, and providing details on income taxes paid. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The adoption of ASU
73
Table of Contents
2023-09 did not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Disclosures have been updated in Note 7 to comply with the ASU as required.
Accounting Standards Pending Adoption
ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” amended the Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income topic in the Accounting Standards Codification to require public companies to disclose, in interim and annual reporting periods, additional information about certain expenses in the notes to financial statements. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will apply the
amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements after the effective date. The adoption of ASU 2023-09 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
ASU 2025-07, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" amended the Derivatives and Hedging and Revenue from Contracts with Customers topics in the Accounting Standards Codification to refine derivative scope and clarify the accounting treatment of share-based noncash consideration from customers in revenue contracts. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. Entities may apply the guidance prospectively or on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2025-07 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2025-08, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans" amended the Financial Instruments—Credit Losses topic in the Accounting Standards Codification to expand the population of acquired financial assets subject to the gross-up approach. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted in both interim and annual reporting periods in which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. The accounting for future business combinations, if any, would be impacted.
ASU 2025-09, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Hedge Accounting Improvements" amended the Derivatives and Hedging topic in the Accounting Standards Codification to clarify certain aspects of the guidance on hedge accounting and to address several incremental hedge accounting issues arising from the global reference rate reform initiative. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted on any date on or after the issuance of this ASU. Upon adoption of the amendments, entities are permitted to modify certain critical terms of certain existing hedging relationships without dedesignating the hedge. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.
ASU 2025-11, "Interim Reporting (Topic 270): Narrow-Scope Improvements" amended the Interim Reporting topic in the Accounting Standards Codification to clarify current interim reporting requirements. The amendments are effective for interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will apply the amendments retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, ("FASB") or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Note 2. Acquisitions
On January 1, 2023, the Company completed its acquisition of 100 % of GrandSouth Bancorporation ("GrandSouth"), in an all-stock transaction pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the "Merger Agreement"), dated June 21, 2022, between the Company and GrandSouth. At the closing of the transaction, GrandSouth merged into the Company. Following the merger of the Company and GrandSouth, GrandSouth Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GrandSouth, merged into the Bank with the Bank being the surviving entity. The results of GrandSouth are included beginning on the January 1, 2023 acquisition date.
74
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each share of common and preferred stock of GrandSouth issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the acquisition was converted into 0.91 shares of the Company's common stock. As a result, the Company issued 5,032,834 shares of the Company common stock effective January 1, 2023. In addition, GrandSouth common stock options outstanding at the merger effective time were converted to options to acquire 0.91 shares of the Company's common stock resulting in 542,345 options with an average exercise price of approximately $20.14 . The total consideration transferred at the close of the transaction was $229.5 million which was determined based on the number of shares issued and the closing market price of the Company's stock immediately prior to the merger effective time of $42.84 . In addition to the stock issued, the fair value of the converted stock options calculated in accordance with ASC 805-30-55 was included in the total consideration of the transaction.
As a result of the merger, eight branches in South Carolina were added to the Company's branch network. The acquisition accomplished the Company's strategic initiative to expand its presence in South Carolina, specifically in the high-growth markets of the state including Greenville, Charleston and Columbia. Significant synergies were anticipated to be gained from the acquisition, with asset growth and revenue enhancement opportunities from the new markets and expanded customer base. Accordingly, the Company recognized goodwill in the transaction related primarily to the reasons noted, as well as the positive earnings of GrandSouth.
This transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, and accordingly, the assets acquired, intangible assets identified, and liabilities assumed of GrandSouth were recorded based on estimates of fair values as of January 1, 2023. The determination of fair value requires management to make estimates about discount rates, future expected cash flows, market conditions, and other future events that are highly subjective in nature and subject to change. Estimated fair values were based on management’s best estimates, using the information available at the date of acquisition, including the use of third-party valuation specialists. Management has finalized the valuations of all acquired assets and liabilities assumed in the GrandSouth acquisition.
The following table summarizes the fair value of acquired assets, identified intangible assets, and liabilities assumed as of January 1, 2023. Following the table is a discussion of valuation approaches utilized in estimating the fair values. The $114.5 million in goodwill that resulted from this transaction is non-deductible for tax purposes.
| ($ in thousands) | Fair Value Estimate | |||||||
| Assets acquired: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | |||||||
| Securities available for sale | ||||||||
| Loans, gross | ||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | ( | |||||||
| Premises and equipment | ||||||||
| Core deposit intangible | ||||||||
| Operating right-of-use assets | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Total | ||||||||
| Liabilities assumed: | ||||||||
| Deposits | ||||||||
| Borrowings | ||||||||
| Other liabilities | ||||||||
| Total | ||||||||
| Net identifiable assets acquired | ||||||||
| Less: Total consideration | ||||||||
| Goodwill recorded related to acquisition of GrandSouth | $ | |||||||
The following is a description of the methods used to determine the fair values of significant assets acquired and liabilities assumed included in the table above.
Cash and cash equivalents: This consists primarily of cash and due from banks, and interest-bearing deposits with banks. The carrying amount of these assets was a reasonable estimate of fair value based on the short-term nature of these assets.
75
Table of Contents
Securities available for sale: Fair value of securities was measured based on quoted market prices, where available. If a quoted market price was not available, fair value was estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities and adjusted for differences between the quoted instrument and the instrument being valued. Substantially all of the securities acquired from GrandSouth were liquidated at their recorded fair value upon close of the transaction or shortly thereafter. There was no gain or loss recorded on the sale of acquired securities.
Loans: Fair value of loans acquired was based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considered factors including loan type and related collateral, classification status, remaining term of the loan, fixed or variable interest rate, amortization status, and current discount rates. Expected cash flows were derived using inputs consistent with management's assessment of credit risk for allowance measurement, including estimated future credit losses and estimated prepayments. A total fair value mark of $29.5 million was recorded. PCD loans were determined based primarily on internal grades, delinquency status, and other evidence of credit deterioration. The Company calculated the initial allowance of $5.6 million on PCD loans in accordance with its CECL model and reclassified that amount from the fair value mark to establish the initial ACL on PCD loans. The following table presents additional information related to the acquired loan portfolio at the acquisition date:
| ($ in thousands) | January 1, 2023 | |||||||
| PCD Loans: | ||||||||
| Par value | $ | |||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | ( | |||||||
| Non-credit discount | ( | |||||||
| Purchase price | ||||||||
| Non-PCD Loans: | ||||||||
| Fair Value | ||||||||
| Gross contractual amounts receivable | ||||||||
| Estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected | ||||||||
Premises: Land and buildings held for use were valued at appraised values, which reflected considerations of recent disposition values for similar property types with adjustments for characteristics of individual properties.
Intangible assets: The CDI asset represents the value of the relationships with deposit customers. The fair value for the CDI asset was estimated based on a discounted cash flow methodology that gave appropriate consideration to expected customer attrition rates, cost of deposit base, net maintenance cost attributable to customer deposits and an estimate of the cost associated with alternative funding sources. The discount rates used for CDI assets were based on market rates. The CDI is being amortized over ten years utilizing the sum of the months digits accelerated method, which results in a weighted-average amortization period of approximately 41 months.
Lease Assets and Lease Liabilities: Lease assets and lease liabilities were measured using a methodology that involved estimating the future lease payments over the remaining lease term with discounting using a discount rate. The lease term was determined for individual leases based on management's assessment of the probability of exercising existing renewal options.
Deposits: The fair values used for the demand and savings deposits by definition equal the amount payable on demand at the acquisition date. Fair values for time deposits were estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis applying interest rates currently offered to the contractual interest rates on such time deposits.
Borrowings: The fair values of long-term debt instruments were estimated based on quoted market prices for instrument if available, or for similar instruments if not available.
Supplemental Pro Forma Financial Information
The following table discloses the impact of the acquisition of GrandSouth from the acquisition date of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. These amounts are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023. The operations of GrandSouth have been integrated into the Bank's existing operations and therefore separate results of operations are not presented for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Merger-related costs have been excluded from these amounts and
76
Table of Contents
the provisions for credit loss amounts associated with non-PCD loans and unfunded commitments that were discussed above have also been excluded.
| ($ in thousands, unaudited) | Revenue | Net Income | ||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Actual GrandSouth results included in statement of income since acquisition date | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Note 3. Securities
The book values and approximate fair values of investment securities at December 31, 2025 and 2024 are summarized as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Unrealized | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Gains | (Losses) | Gains | (Losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities available for sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Treasury securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprise securities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total available for sale | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities held to maturity: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State and local governments | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total held to maturity | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities were issued by government-sponsored enterprises ("GSEs"), except for private mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $0.7
on AFS debt securities was $5.2 million and $4.6 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. on HTM debt securities was of $4.2
77
Table of Contents
The following table presents information regarding all securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2025:
| Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position for Less than 12 Months | Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position for More than 12 Months | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Treasury securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprise securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State and local governments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total temporarily impaired securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents information regarding all securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2024:
| Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position for Less than 12 Months | Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position for More than 12 Months | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Treasury securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprise securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State and local governments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total temporarily impaired securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2025, the Company's securities portfolio included 573 securities of which 491 securities were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2024, the Company's securities portfolio included 584 securities of which 560 securities were in an unrealized loss position.
In the above tables, all of the securities that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2025 and 2024 are bonds that the Company has determined are in a loss position due primarily to interest rate factors and not credit quality concerns. In arriving at this conclusion, the Company reviewed third-party credit ratings and considered the severity of the impairment. The state and local government investments are comprised almost entirely of highly-rated municipal bonds issued by state and local governments throughout the nation. The Company has no significant concentrations of bond holdings from any one state or local government entity. Nearly all of the Company's mortgage-backed securities were issued by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), or SBA, each of which is a GSE and guarantees the repayment of its securities. The Company does not intend to sell these securities, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities before recovery of the amortized cost.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company determined that expected credit losses associated with HTM securities were insignificant.
78
Table of Contents
The book values and fair values of investment securities at December 31, 2025, by contractual maturity, are summarized in the table below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
| Securities Available for Sale | Securities Held to Maturity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due within one year | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due after one year but within five years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due after five years but within ten years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due after ten years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, investment securities with carrying values of $876.8 million and $806.0 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral for public deposits. In addition, at December 31, 2025 and 2024, investment securities with carrying values of $622.1 million and $661.0 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral to the FRB to secure any such borrowings.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies or GSEs, in an amount greater than 10% of shareholders' equity.
During 2025, the Company received proceeds from sales of securities of $464.7 million and recorded $71.6 million in gross losses from the sales. During 2024, the Company received proceeds from sales of securities of $385.1 million and recorded $41.5 million in gross losses from the sales. These losses were partially offset by the $4.5 million gain on the sale of the Visa stock discussed below. Also Included in "Securities losses, net" in the consolidated statements of income, during 2024, the Company received proceeds from the call of a security of $5.2 million and recorded a $1.0 million loss related to the unamortized premium balance at the time of the call. In 2023, there were no sales of investment securities with the exception of securities acquired from GrandSouth which were subsequently liquidated as discussed in Note 2. There was no gain or loss associated with the sale of acquired securities.
During the second quarter of 2024, the Company sold all of its holdings of Class B shares of Visa, Inc. (“Visa”) stock that were received upon Visa’s initial public offering and recognized a gain of $4.5 million. As the Class B stock did not initially have a readily determinable fair value, it was carried at $0 prior to the sale.
Included in “Other assets” in the consolidated balance sheets are investments in FHLB and Federal Reserve stock totaling $41.6 million and $41.3 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. These investments do not have readily determinable fair values. The FHLB stock had a cost of $8.5 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, and serves as part of the collateral for the Company’s line of credit with the FHLB and is also a requirement for membership in the FHLB system. The Federal Reserve stock had a cost of $33.1 million and $32.7 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and is a requirement for Federal Reserve member bank qualification. Periodically, both the FHLB and Federal Reserve recalculate the Company’s required level of holdings, and the Company either buys more stock or redeems a portion of the stock at cost. The Company determined that neither stock was impaired at either period end.
79
Table of Contents
Note 4. Loans, Allowance for Credit Losses, and Asset Quality Information
The following is a summary of the major categories of total loans outstanding:
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | Percentage | Amount | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized net deferred loan costs/(fees) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total loans | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The above table includes SBA loans, generally originated under the SBA 7A loan program, with additional information on these loans presented in the table below.
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Guaranteed portions of SBA Loans included in table above | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Unguaranteed portions of SBA Loans included in table above | ||||||||||||||
| Total SBA loans included in the table above | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Sold portions of SBA loans with servicing retained - not included in table above | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
At December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, there were remaining unaccreted discounts on the retained portion of sold SBA loans amounting to $2.0 million and $2.9 million respectively.
At December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, loans in the amount of $7.1 billion and $6.7 billion, respectively, were pledged as collateral to the Federal Reserve and the FHLB for borrowing capacity. Refer to Note 9 for further discussion.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, total loans included loans to directors and executive officers of the Company, and their associates, totaling approximately $60.7 million and $62.9 million, respectively. There were no new loans or advances on existing loans for the year ended December 31, 2025 and repayments amounted to $1.9 million for that period. Loans with a total balance of $0.3 million were removed from the population as the director retired from the board during 2025. Available credit on related party loans totaled $0.3 million and $1.0 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, unamortized discounts on all acquired loans totaled $8.8 million and $15.1 million, respectively.
Nonperforming assets ("NPAs") are defined as nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 or more days and still accruing interest, and foreclosed real estate.
The following table summarizes the NPAs for each date presented.
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Nonperforming assets | ||||||||||||||
| Nonaccrual loans | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Accruing loans > 90 days past due | ||||||||||||||
| Total nonperforming loans | ||||||||||||||
| Foreclosed real estate | ||||||||||||||
| Total nonperforming assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
80
Table of Contents
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, in residential mortgage loans in process of foreclosure.
At December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, there were commitments to lend immaterial amounts of additional funds to borrowers whose loans were nonperforming.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s nonaccrual loans by major categories as of December 31, 2025.
| ($ in thousands) | Nonaccrual Loans with No Allowance | Nonaccrual Loans with an Allowance | Total Nonaccrual Loans | |||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
The following table is a summary of the Company’s nonaccrual loans by major categories as of December 31, 2024.
| ($ in thousands) | Nonaccrual Loans with No Allowance | Nonaccrual Loans with an Allowance | Total Nonaccrual Loans | |||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
There was no
The following table presents an analysis of the payment status of the Company’s loans as of December 31, 2025.
| ($ in thousands) | Accruing Current | Accruing 30-59 Days Past Due | Accruing 60- 89 Days Past Due | Nonaccrual Loans | Total Loans Receivable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized net deferred loan fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
81
Table of Contents
The following table presents an analysis of the payment status of the Company’s loans as of December 31, 2024.
| ($ in thousands) | Accruing Current | Accruing 30-59 Days Past Due | Accruing 60- 89 Days Past Due | Nonaccrual Loans | Total Loans Receivable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized net deferred loan (fees) costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collateral dependent loans are individually evaluated loans for which the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The Company reviews loans on nonaccrual with a net book balance of $500,000 or greater for designation as collateral dependent loans, as well as certain other loans that may still be accruing interest and/or are less than $500,000 in size that management of the Company designates as having higher risk. These loans do not share common risk characteristics and are not included within the collectively evaluated loans for determining the ACL.
The following table presents an analysis of collateral dependent loans of the Company as of December 31, 2025.
| ($ in thousands) | Commercial Property | Total Collateral-Dependent Loans | ||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The following table presents an analysis of collateral dependent loans of the Company as of December 31, 2024.
| ($ in thousands) | Commercial Property | Total Collateral-Dependent Loans | ||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Under CECL, for collateral dependent loans, the Company has adopted the practical expedient to measure the ACL based on the fair value of collateral. The ACL is calculated on an individual loan basis based on the shortfall between the fair value of the loan's collateral, which is adjusted for liquidation costs/discounts, and amortized cost. If the fair value of the collateral exceeds the amortized cost, no allowance is required.
The Company's policy is to obtain third-party appraisals on any significant pieces of collateral. For loans secured by real estate, the Company's policy is to write nonaccrual loans down to 90 % of the appraised value, which considers estimated selling costs. For real estate collateral, the Company may discount the collateral values due to factors including market trends, collateral condition, or near-term sales. For loans secured by non-real estate collateral, the Company generally writes nonaccrual loans down to provide for selling costs and liquidity discounts that are usually incurred when disposing of non-real estate collateral. For reviewed loans that are not on nonaccrual basis, the Company assigns a specific allowance based on the parameters noted above.
Fluctuations in the ACL each period are based on loan mix and growth, changes in the levels of nonperforming loans, economic forecasts impacting loss drivers, other assumptions and inputs to the CECL model, and as
82
Table of Contents
occurred in 2025, adjustments for acquired loan portfolios. Much of the change to the level of ACL during the year ended December 31, 2025 is attributed to the potential exposure from Hurricane Helene. The balance of the change was a result of loan growth during the year and updated prepayment speed estimates in the CECL model, thus requiring additional allowance for the estimated longer life of loans.
The following tables present the activity in the ACL on loans for each of the periods indicated. Fluctuations in the ACL each period are based on loan mix and growth, changes in the levels of nonperforming loans, economic forecasts impacting loss drivers, other assumptions and inputs to the CECL model.
| ($ in thousands) | Beginning balance | Charge-offs | Recoveries | Provisions/(Reversals) | Ending balance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of and for the year ended December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Beginning balance | Charge-offs | Recoveries | Provisions/(Reversals) | Ending balance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Beginning balance | Initial ACL for acquired PCD loans | Charge-offs | Recoveries | Provisions/(Reversals) | Ending balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit Quality Indicators
The Company tracks credit quality based on its internal risk ratings. Upon origination, a loan is assigned an initial risk grade, which is generally based on several factors such as the borrower’s credit score, the loan-to-value ratio, the debt-to-income ratio, etc. Loans that are risk-graded as substandard during the origination process are declined. After loans are initially graded, they are monitored regularly for credit quality based on many factors, such as payment history, the borrower’s financial status, and changes in collateral value. Loans can be downgraded or upgraded depending on management’s evaluation of these factors. Internal risk-grading policies are consistent throughout each loan type.
83
Table of Contents
The following describes the Company’s internal risk grades in ascending order of likelihood of loss:
| Risk Grade | Description | |||||||||||||
| Pass: | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | Loans with virtually no risk, including cash secured loans. | |||||||||||||
| 2 | Loans with documented significant overall financial strength. These loans have minimum chance of loss due to the presence of multiple sources of repayment – each clearly sufficient to satisfy the obligation. | |||||||||||||
| 3 | Loans with documented satisfactory overall financial strength. These loans have a low loss potential due to presence of at least two clearly identified sources of repayment – each of which is sufficient to satisfy the obligation under the present circumstances. | |||||||||||||
| 4 | Loans to borrowers with acceptable financial condition. These loans could have signs of minor operational weaknesses, lack of adequate financial information, or loans supported by collateral with questionable value or marketability. | |||||||||||||
| 5 | Loans that represent above average risk due to minor weaknesses and warrant closer scrutiny by management. Collateral is generally available and felt to provide reasonable coverage with realizable liquidation values in normal circumstances. Repayment performance is satisfactory. | |||||||||||||
| P (Pass) | Consumer loans that are of satisfactory credit quality with borrowers who exhibit good personal credit history, average personal financial strength and moderate debt levels. These loans generally conform to Bank policy, but may include approved mitigated exceptions to the guidelines. | |||||||||||||
| Special Mention: | ||||||||||||||
| 6 | Existing loans with defined weaknesses in primary source of repayment that, if not corrected, could cause a loss to the Company. | |||||||||||||
| Classified: | ||||||||||||||
| 7 | An existing loan inadequately protected by the current sound net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or the collateral pledged, if any. These loans have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. | |||||||||||||
| 8 | Loans that have a well-defined weakness that make the collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable. Loss appears imminent, but the exact amount and timing is uncertain. | |||||||||||||
| 9 | Loans that are considered uncollectible and are in the process of being charged-off. This grade is a temporary grade assigned for administrative purposes until the charge-off is completed. | |||||||||||||
| F (Fail) | Consumer loans with a well-defined weakness, such as exceptions of any kind with no mitigating factors, history of paying outside the terms of the note, insufficient income to support the current level of debt, etc. | |||||||||||||
In the tables that follow, substantially all of the "Classified" loans have grades of 7 or Fail for consumer loans, with those categories having similar levels of risk.
The tables below present the Company’s recorded investment in loans by credit quality indicators by year of origination or renewal as of the periods indicated. Acquired loans are presented in the year originated, not in the year of acquisition.
As presented in the tables that follow, as of December 31, 2025, the Company had $29.3 million in loans graded Special Mention and $58.5 million in loans graded Classified, which includes all nonaccrual loans at that date. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $37.1 million in loans graded Special Mention and $65.8 million in loans graded Classified, which includes all nonaccrual loans at that date.
84
Table of Contents
| Term Loans by Year of Origination | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Prior | Revolving | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial and industrial | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total construction, development & other land loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial real estate - owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial real estate - non owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total multi-family real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total residential 1-4 family real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total home equity loans/lines of credit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total consumer loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized net deferred loan fees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans, net of deferred loan fees | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total gross charge-offs, year to date | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
85
Table of Contents
| Term Loans by Year of Origination | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Prior | Revolving | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial and industrial | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total construction, development & other land loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial real estate - owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial real estate - non owner occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Multi-family real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total multi-family real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total residential 1-4 family real estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total home equity loans/lines of credit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total consumer loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross charge-offs, YTD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized net deferred loan fees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans, net of deferred loan fees | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total gross charge-offs, year to date | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
86
Table of Contents
Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty
Occasionally, the Company modifies loans to borrowers in financial distress as a part of our loss mitigation activities. Various types of modification may be offered including principal forgiveness, term extension, payment delays, or interest rate reductions. In some cases, the Company will modify a certain loan by providing multiple types of concessions. Typically, one type of concession, such as a term extension, is granted initially. If the borrower continues to experience financial difficulty, another concession may be granted. For loans included in the “combination” columns below, multiple types of modifications have been made on the same loan within the current reporting period.
The following table presents the amortized cost basis at December 31, 2025 of the FDMs modified during the twelve months then ended for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, by loan category and type of concession granted.
| ($ in thousands) | Payment Delay | Term Extension | Combination - Payment Delay and Term Extension | Combination - Interest Rate Reduction and Term Extension | Total | Percent of Total Class of Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents the amortized cost basis at December 31, 2024 of the FDMs modified during the twelve months then ended for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, by loan category and type of concession granted.
| ($ in thousands) | Payment Delay | Term Extension | Combination - Payment Delay and Term Extension | Combination - Interest Rate Reduction and Term Extension | Total | Percent of Total Class of Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, there were no modifications for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty with principal forgiveness concessions.
87
Table of Contents
The following table reflects the financial effect for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 of the modifications made for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty:
| Financial Effect of Modification to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Interest Rate Reduction | Weighted Average Payment Delay (in months) | Weighted Average Term Extension (in months) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | % | |||||||||||||||||||
The following table reflects the financial effect for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 of the modifications made for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty:
| Financial Effect of Modification to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Interest Rate Reduction | Weighted Average Payment Delay (in months) | Weighted Average Term Extension (in months) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | % | |||||||||||||||||||
The Company closely monitors the performance of the FDMs that are modified for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table presents the performance of loans that have been modified in the last twelve months as of December 31, 2025:
| Payment Status (Amortized Cost Basis) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Current | 30-59 Days Past Due | 60-89 Days Past Due | 90+ Days Past Due | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
88
Table of Contents
The following table presents the performance of FDMs that have been modified in the last twelve months as of December 31, 2024:
| Payment Status (Amortized Cost Basis) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Current | 30-59 Days Past Due | 60-89 Days Past Due | 90+ Days Past Due | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction, development & other land loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of FDMs that had a payment default during the year ended December 31, 2025 and were modified in the twelve months prior to that default to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty by loan category and type of concession granted.
| Amortized Cost Basis of Modified Receivables That Subsequently Defaulted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payment Delay | Term Extension | Combination - Interest Rate Reduction and Term Extension | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate - non owner occupied | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home equity loans/lines of credit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of FDMs that had a payment default during the year ended December 31, 2024 and were modified in the twelve months prior to that default to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty by loan category and type of concession granted.
| Amortized Cost Basis of Modified Receivables That Subsequently Defaulted | ||||||||||||||
| Term Extension | Total | |||||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family real estate | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
At December 31, 2025, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty for whom a modification had been made. At December 31, 2024, there was a commitment to lend $0.1 million of additional funds to one borrower experiencing financial difficulty for whom a modification had been made.
Upon the Company’s determination that a modified loan (or portion of a loan) has subsequently been deemed uncollectible, the loan (or a portion of the loan) is written off. Therefore, the amortized cost basis of the loan is reduced by the uncollectible amount and the ACL is adjusted by the same amount.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company’s loan portfolio is not concentrated in loans to any single borrower or to a relatively small number of borrowers. Additionally, management is not aware of any concentrations of loans to classes of borrowers or industries that would be similarly affected by economic conditions. Approximately 87 % of the Company's loan portfolio is secured by real estate and is therefore susceptible to changes in real estate valuations.
89
Table of Contents
Most of the Company's business activity is with customers located within the markets where we have banking operations. While our exposure to credit risk is affected by changes in the economy within our markets, the risk is not significantly concentrated. The following table presents the total lending exposure for the counties with the largest percentage of our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. No other market (as defined by county) had total loans outstanding in excess of 5% of the total portfolio at year end.
| Percentage of Loans Outstanding | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| New Hanover County, North Carolina | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Wake County, North Carolina | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Mecklenburg County, North Carolina | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Buncombe County, North Carolina | % | % | ||||||||||||
In addition to monitoring potential concentrations of loans to particular borrowers or groups of borrowers, industries, and geographic regions, the Company monitors exposure to credit risk that could arise from potential concentrations of lending products and practices The Company has determined that there is no concentration of credit risk associated with its lending policies or practices.
Impact of Hurricane Helene
In the portions of Western North and South Carolina that were significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene in third quarter of 2024, the Company identified borrowers who were potentially impacted. During 2025, the Company evaluated the commercial loan portfolio and adjusted risk ratings and nonaccrual status as applicable. Therefore, for those relationships, the normal reserving process for December 31, 2025 was applied. For the potentially impacted consumer loans, the Company applied increased reserve rates based upon severe economic factors to the approximately $268 million of loans (primarily Residential 1-4 family real estate) in the most impacted path of Hurricane Helene. Due to the potential exposure from Hurricane Helene, the ACL on these impacted consumer loans was $1.9 million as of December 31, 2025, adding 2 basis points to the overall ACL as a percent of total loans, which was 1.42 % as of December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, the ACL on the population of potentially impacted commercial and consumer loans was $13.0 million, adding 16 basis points to the overall ACL as a percent of total loans, which was 1.51 %.
Allowance for Unfunded Loan Commitments
In addition to the ACL on loans, the Company maintains an allowance for lending-related commitments such as unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit. The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for lending-related commitments on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur, which is based on a historical funding study derived from internal information, and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life, which are the same loss rates that are used in computing the ACL on loans, and are discussed in Note 1. The allowance for unfunded loan commitments were included in "Other liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets.
The following table presents the balance and activity in the allowance for unfunded loan commitments for twelve months ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | ||||||||||||||
| Recoveries | ||||||||||||||
| Provision (reversal) for unfunded commitments | ( | |||||||||||||
| Ending balance | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
90
Table of Contents
Note 5. Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment at December 31, 2025 and 2024 consisted of the following:
| ($ in thousands) | Estimated Useful Lives | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Land | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Buildings | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Furniture and equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Vehicles | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Leasehold improvements | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total cost | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total premises and equipment | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation expense amounted to $6.8 million, $7.8 million, and $7.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, and is recorded in occupancy and equipment expense.
Note 6. Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Servicing Assets
The following is a summary of the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of amortizable intangible assets and the carrying amount of unamortized intangible assets as of the periods presented.
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Amount | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortizable intangible assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer lists | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Core deposit intangibles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total amortizable intangible assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortizable intangible assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer lists are generally amortized over five years and core deposit intangibles are generally amortized over 10 years, both at an accelerated rate.
Amortization expense of all amortizable intangible assets totaled $5.7 million, $6.6 million, and $8.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on at least an annual basis, with the annual evaluation occurring as of October 31 of each year. Goodwill is also evaluated for impairment any time there is a triggering event indicating that impairment may have occurred. No triggering events were identified during 2025 or 2024 and, therefore, the Company did not perform interim impairment evaluations in either of those years. The Company's most recent evaluation of goodwill, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2025, indicated that there was no goodwill impairment. There was no change to carrying amounts of goodwill during 2025 or 2024.
The following table presents the estimated amortization expense schedule related to amortizable intangible assets. These amounts will be recorded as "Intangibles amortization expense" within the noninterest expense section of the consolidated statements of income. These estimates are subject to change in future periods to the extent
91
Table of Contents
management determines it is necessary to make adjustments to the carrying value or estimated useful lives of amortizable intangible assets.
| ($ in thousands) | Estimated Amortization Expense | |||||||
| 2026 | $ | |||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||
| 2029 | ||||||||
| 2030 | ||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||
During 2025, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded $2.8 million, $3.2 million, and $3.5 million, respectively, in servicing fee income, which is included in "Other service charges and fees" on the consolidated income statements. There was no
A summary of the key assumptions used in the discounted cash flow method utilized to estimate the fair value of the SBA servicing assets were as follows:
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Prepayment rate assumption: | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average | ||||||||||||||
| Range | ||||||||||||||
| Discount rate: | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average | ||||||||||||||
| Range | ||||||||||||||
| Servicing cost | ||||||||||||||
The following table presents the changes in the SBA servicing assets (included in "Other assets" in the Company's consolidated balance sheet) for each period indicated.
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Beginning balance, net | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Add: New servicing assets | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Amortization expense | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Ending balance, net | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
92
Table of Contents
Note 7. Income Taxes
The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 are as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | - Federal | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| - State | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred | - Federal | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| - State | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning in 2025 on a prospective basis, the Company adopted ASU 2023-09. See Accounting Standards Adopted in 2025 in Note 1 for additional details on the adoption.
The following is a reconciliation of federal income tax expense at the statutory rate of 21% at December 31, 2025 to the income tax provision reported in the financial statements.
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | |||||||||||||
| Amount | Percent | |||||||||||||
| Tax provision at statutory rate | $ | % | ||||||||||||
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect (1) | % | |||||||||||||
| Non-taxable / non-deductible items | ( | ( | % | |||||||||||
Tax credits (2) | ( | ( | % | |||||||||||
| Other adjustments | % | |||||||||||||
| Total provision for income taxes and effective tax rate | $ | % | ||||||||||||
(1) - State taxes in North Carolina made up the majority (greater than 50 percent) of this category.
(2) - Net of proportional amortization of qualifying affordable housing investments.
As previously disclosed for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the following is a reconciliation of federal income tax expense at the statutory rate of 21% to the income tax provision reported in the financial statements.
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Tax provision at statutory rate | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from: | ||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt interest income, net | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| State income taxes, net of federal benefit | ||||||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
In the table above, for 2024, the Other, net amount includes $1.7 million related to incremental state tax-related expenses for prior years, net of associated federal benefit amounts and $0.8 million related to deferred tax adjustments.
The following table presents income taxes paid (net of refunds received) for the year ended December 31, 2025.
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | |||||||
| US Federal | $ | |||||||
| North Carolina | ||||||||
| Other US State and Local | ||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||
93
Table of Contents
The sources and tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets, which are included in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets are as follows at December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | ||||||||||||||
| Net operating loss carryforwards | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized losses on securities available for sale | ||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses on loans and unfunded commitments | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease liability | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase accounting adjustments | ||||||||||||||
| All other | ||||||||||||||
| Gross deferred tax assets | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Security valuation | ( | |||||||||||||
| Loan valuation | ( | |||||||||||||
| Amortizable basis of intangible assets | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Depreciable basis of fixed assets | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Right of use lease asset | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Loan fees | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| All other | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Gross deferred tax liabilities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net deferred tax asset | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The Company recorded de minimis valuation allowances for 2025 and 2024 related to state net operating loss carryforwards for which the realization of the remaining deferred tax assets is determined to be more likely than not. The Company had no significant uncertain tax positions, and thus no such reserve for uncertain tax positions has been recorded. Additionally, the Company determined that it has no material unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect the effective tax rate. The Company’s general policy is to record tax penalties and interest as a component of “Other operating expenses.”
The Company is subject to routine audits of its tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and various state taxing authorities. The Company’s tax returns are subject to income tax audit by federal and state agencies beginning with the year 2021. There are no indications of any material adjustments relating to any examination currently being conducted by any taxing authority.
94
Table of Contents
Note 8. Deposits
The following table lists the composition of the deposit portfolio as of the end of the respective years.
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing checking accounts | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing checking accounts | ||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts | ||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | ||||||||||||||
| Other time deposits | ||||||||||||||
| Time deposits >$250,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Total customer deposits | ||||||||||||||
| Brokered Deposits - time deposits | ||||||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
At December 31, 2025, the scheduled maturities of time deposits were as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||
| 2026 | $ | |||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||
| 2029 | ||||||||
| 2030 | ||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||
| $ | ||||||||
Deposits received from executive officers and directors and their associates totaled approximately $3.4 million and $5.0 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Deposit overdrafts of approximately $1.1
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company held $305.5 million and $360.9 million, respectively, in time deposits of more than $250,000 (which was the FDIC insurance limit for insured deposits as of December 31, 2025). Brokered deposits were $4.9 million and $9.6 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Total reciprocal deposits through CDARS and ICS were $19.9 million and $18.4 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
As of December 31, 2025, the estimated insured deposits totaled $6.5 60.2 % of total deposits, while approximately $4.3 730.4 67.0 % of our total deposits were insured or collateralized at that date.
The Company’s deposit portfolio is not concentrated in deposits from any single customer or to a relatively small number of customers. Additionally, management is not aware of any concentrations of deposits to classes of customers or industries that would be similarly affected by economic conditions. The following table presents the counties with the largest share of our deposit base as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. No other market area (as defined by county) comprises more than 5% of our deposit base at the dates presented.
| Percentage of Total Deposits | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Moore County, North Carolina (1) | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Buncombe County, North Carolina | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Guilford County, North Carolina | % | % | ||||||||||||
95
Table of Contents
Note 9. Borrowings and Borrowings Availability
The following tables presents information regarding the Company’s outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2025 ($ are in thousands):
| Description | Due Date | Call Feature | Balance | Interest Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Principal Reducing Credit | 6/26/2028 to 12/20/2028 | None | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 1/23/2034 | Quarterly by Company beginning 1/23/2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 1/23/2034 | Quarterly by Company beginning 1/23/2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 9/20/2034 | Quarterly by Company beginning 9/20/2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 1/7/2035 | Quarterly by Company beginning 1/7/2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 6/15/2036 | Quarterly by Company beginning 6/15/2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 6/23/2036 | Quarterly by Company beginning 6/23/2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowings / weighted average rate as of December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized discount on acquired borrowings | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowings | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents information regarding the Company’s outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2024 (dollars are in thousands):
| Description | Due date | Call Feature | Balance | Interest Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Principal Reducing Credit | 6/26/2028 to 12/20/2028 | None | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 1/23/2034 | Quarterly by Company beginning 1/23/2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 1/23/2034 | Quarterly by Company beginning 1/23/2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 9/20/2034 | Quarterly by Company beginning 9/20/2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 1/7/2035 | Quarterly by Company beginning 1/7/2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 6/15/2036 | Quarterly by Company beginning 6/15/2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trust Preferred Securities | 6/23/2036 | Quarterly by Company beginning 6/23/2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated Debentures | 11/15/2030 | Continuous by Company beginning 11/15/2025 | until 11/15/25, then adjustable rate 3 month CME Term SOFR + | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowings / weighted average rate as of December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized discount on acquired borrowings | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowings | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Any borrowings from the FHLB and FRB are subject to acceleration in certain circumstances, including material adverse changes in the condition of the Company or if the Company’s qualifying collateral amounts to less than that required under the terms of the borrowing agreement.
96
Table of Contents
In the above tables, at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, there were no
Trust Preferred Securities in the above tables are borrowings structured as trust preferred capital securities which were issued by various unconsolidated subsidiaries of the Company as discussed in Note 1. These unsecured debt securities qualify as Tier I capital for capital adequacy requirements.
The Subordinated Debentures in the 2024 table above were borrowings issued by GrandSouth and assumed by the Company on January 1, 2023. These unsecured debt securities qualified as Tier II capital for capital adequacy requirements. The Company repaid the Subordinated Debentures during the fourth quarter of 2025.
At December 31, 2025, the Company had several sources of readily available borrowing capacity:
•A $1.4 billion line of credit with the FHLB that can be structured as either short-term or long-term borrowings, depending on the particular funding or liquidity needs. As of December 31, 2025, the line of credit is secured by a blanket lien on portions of the Company's real estate loan portfolio totaling approximately $2.3 billion and the Company's FHLB stock totaling $8.6 million. $0.8 million was outstanding on the line of credit at December 31, 2025 and $0.8 million was outstanding at December 31, 2024;
•A total of $265.0 million federal funds lines of credit with correspondent banks which allow the Company to purchase federal funds on an overnight, unsecured basis. None
•An approximately $763.8 million line of credit through the Federal Reserve's discount window borrowing program, which was secured at December 31, 2025 by a blanket lien on a portion of the Company’s commercial and consumer loan portfolios (excluding real estate collateral) totaling approximately $319.6 million and specific investment securities with a carrying value of $644.8 million. No
At December 31, 2025, the contractual maturities of borrowings were as follows for the years ending:
| ($ in thousands) | FHLB Principal Reducing Credit | Trust Preferred Securities | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2029 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2030 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized discount on acquired borrowings | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowings | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Note 10. Leases
The Company enters into leases in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2025, the Company leased 13 branch offices for which the land and buildings are leased and ten branch offices for which the land is leased but the building is owned. The Company also leases office space for several operational departments. All of the Company’s leases are operating leases and the lease agreements have maturity dates ranging from April 2026 to May 2076, some of which include options for multiple - and ten-year extensions. The Company includes lease extension options in the lease term if, after considering relevant economic, market, and strategic factors, it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the option. The weighted average remaining life of the lease term for these leases was 20.8 years as of December 31, 2025 and 21.2 years as of December 31, 2024. Certain of the Company's lease agreements include variable lease payments based on changes in inflation, with the impact of that factor being insignificant to the Company's total lease expense. As permitted by applicable accounting standards, the Company has elected not to recognize leases with original lease terms of 12 months or less (short-term leases)
97
Table of Contents
on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The short-term lease cost for each period presented was insignificant.
Leases are classified as either operating or finance leases at the lease commencement date and all of the Company's leases have been determined to be operating leases. Lease expense for operating leases and short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right-of-use assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term.
The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, on a collateralized basis, at lease commencement to calculate the present value of lease payments when the rate implicit in the lease is not known. The weighted average discount rate for leases was 3.41 % and 3.34 % as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The right-of-use assets, included in "" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet, and lease liabilities, included in "" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet were $13.4 million and $14.2 million as of December 31, 2025, respectively, and were $13.8 million and $14.6 million as of December 31, 2024, respectively.
Total operating lease expenses, included in "Other operating expenses" in the Company's consolidated statement of income, was $2.5 million in 2025, $2.5 million in 2024, and $3.1 million in 2023.
Future undiscounted lease payments for operating leases with initial terms of greater than one year as of December 31, 2025 are as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||
| 2026 | $ | |||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||
| 2029 | ||||||||
| 2030 | ||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||
| Total undiscounted lease payments | ||||||||
| Less effect of discounting | ( | |||||||
| Present value of estimated lease payments (lease liability) | $ | |||||||
Note 11. Employee Benefit Plans
401(k) Plan
The Company sponsors a retirement savings plan (the "401(k) Plan") pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC"). New employees who have met the age requirement are automatically enrolled in the 401(k) Plan at a 6 % deferral rate. The automatic deferral can be modified by the employee at any time. An eligible employee may contribute up to 15 % of annual salary to the plan, not to exceed IRC limits. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, the Company matched 100 6 %, 4 % and 6 %, respectively. The Company’s matching contribution expense was $6.0 million, $6.8 million, and $6.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Discretionary contributions by the Company are permitted by the plan. The Company's matching and discretionary contributions are made according to the same investment elections each participant has established for their deferral contributions. During 2024, upon the dissolution of the Pension Plan, as discussed below, the remaining balance of plan assets was transferred to the 401(k) Plan, the expense for which is included in the 2024 contribution expense shown above. The balance was allocated to participants per the terms of the plan. The Company did not make any other discretionary contributions to the plan.
Pension Plan
Historically, the Company offered a noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan (the “Pension Plan”) that qualified under Section 401(a) of the IRC. In 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors (the "Board") approved a resolution to terminate the Pension Plan. During 2023, the Company commenced the Pension Plan termination
98
Table of Contents
process and on July 31, 2023, the Pension Plan was amended to terminate it as of that date. Subsequently in 2023, the Pension Plan settled benefits through lump-sum payments of approximately $9.2 million to eligible participants electing that option and purchased annuity contracts from One America (the "Insurer") which irrevocably transferred to the Insurer approximately $19.5 million of the Pension Plan's obligations and related assets, thereby reducing the Pension Plan's obligations at December 31, 2023 to zero . The Company utilized the remaining surplus for future contributions under the Company’s 401(k) Plan and the remaining balance was transferred to the 401(k) Plan during 2024.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Historically, the Company has sponsored a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”) for the benefit of certain senior management executives of the Company. The purpose of the SERP is to provide additional monthly pension benefits. The SERP is an unfunded plan. Payments are made from the general assets of the Company. Effective December 31, 2012, the Company froze the SERP to all participants.
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the SERP’s benefit obligation, as computed by the Company’s independent actuarial consultants:
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in benefit obligation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Actuarial loss (gain) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits paid | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Plan assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Funded status at end of year | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||
The accumulated benefit obligation presented above is included in "Other liabilities" in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The following table presents information regarding the amounts recognized in AOCI at December 31, 2025 and 2024, as it relates to the SERP:
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Net (loss) gain | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||
| Prior service cost | ||||||||||||||
| Amount recognized in AOCI before tax effect | ( | |||||||||||||
| Tax benefit (expense) | ( | |||||||||||||
| Net amount recognized as (decrease) increase to AOCI | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of AOCI at December 31, 2025 and 2024, as it relates to the SERP:
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at beginning of fiscal year | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Net (loss) gain arising during period | ( | |||||||||||||
| Prior service cost | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized actuarial (loss) gain | ( | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service cost and transition obligation | ||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit (expense) related to changes during the year, net | ( | |||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income at end of fiscal year | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||
99
Table of Contents
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the prepaid pension cost related to the SERP:
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Accrued liability as of beginning of fiscal year | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
| Net periodic pension cost for fiscal year | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Benefits paid | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued liability as of end of fiscal year | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
Net pension cost for the SERP included the following components for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023:
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Service cost – benefits earned during the period | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of net actuarial (loss) gain | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net periodic pension cost (income) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||
The components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item "Other operating expenses" in the consolidated statements of income.
The following table is an estimate of the benefits that will be paid in accordance with the SERP for each of the five calendar years ending December 31, 2030 and thereafter:
| ($ in thousands) | Estimated benefit payments | |||||||
| 2026 | $ | |||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||
| 2029 | ||||||||
| 2030 | ||||||||
| 2031-2035 | ||||||||
The following assumptions were used in determining the actuarial information for the SERP for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023:
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate used to determine net periodic pension cost | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate used to calculate end of year liability disclosures | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
The Company’s discount rate policy for the SERP is to use the FTSE yield curve that matches the expected cash flows of the SERP.
Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies
In the normal course of business, there are various outstanding commitments to extend credit that are not reflected in the financial statements. The same credit policies are used to make such commitments as are used for loans, including obtaining collateral at exercise of the commitment. Commitments may expire without being used. The following table presents the Company’s outstanding loan commitments, including credit cards, at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Fixed Rate | Variable Rate | Total | Fixed Rate | Variable Rate | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan commitments | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unused lines of credit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In addition to loan commitments, at December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had $30.8 million and $24.5 million, respectively, in standby letters of credit outstanding. The Company has no
100
Table of Contents
obligation made on behalf of the Company’s customers to suppliers of the customers to guarantee payments owed to the supplier by the customer. The standby letters of credit are generally for a term of one year, at which time they may be renewed for another year if both parties agree.
The Company maintains an allowance for unfunded loan commitments which is included in "Other liabilities" in the consolidated balance sheets. The allowance for unfunded loan commitments is determined as part of the quarterly ACL analysis.
The Company, in the normal course of business, may be subject to various pending and threatened lawsuits in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. The Company is not involved in any legal proceedings which, in management’s opinion, could have a material effect on the consolidated financial position of the Company.
Affordable Housing and Certain Other Equity Method Investments
The Company invests in affordable housing projects throughout its market area as a means of supporting local communities. The Company receives tax credits related to these investments. For qualifying affordable housing projects, the Company recognizes the liability for future contribution commitments at the date of investment in the entity. The Company may also provide construction financing to these and other similar projects; however, permanent financing is generally obtained by the projects from independent third parties upon completion of construction. Any unfunded portion of these lending commitments is included above in loan commitments. In certain circumstances, the Company may participate in the permanent financing through a nonprofit third party. The Company’s maximum exposure to losses relative to investments in the entities is generally limited to the sum of the investments, future funding commitments and any related loans to the entity. Loans to these entities are underwritten in substantially the same manner as the Company’s other loans and are generally secured.
The Company has investments in and future funding commitments related to small business investment companies ("SBICs") and certain other equity method investments. The risk exposure relating to such commitments is generally limited to the amount of investments and future funding commitments made. The Company generally does not lend to these entities.
The following table summarizes affordable housing and other equity investments.
| ($ in thousands) | Balance Sheet Location | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Investments in affordable housing projects: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying amount | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amount of future funding commitments included in carrying amount | Other liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| SBIC and certain other equity method investments: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying amount | Other assets | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Amount of future funding commitments not included in carrying amount | NA | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized proportional amortization expense of $1.0 million, which is included within "Income tax expense" on the consolidated statements of income. During 2024, and 2023, these amounts were de minimis. Additionally, during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, the Company recognized tax credits of $1.1 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, which was included within income tax expense on the consolidated statements of income.
Note 13. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. As an element of its risk management strategies, the Company may enter into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. To accommodate customers, the Company may enter into interest rate swaps with certain commercial loan customers, with offsetting positions to dealers under a back-to-back swap program.
At December 31, 2025, the Company's derivative financial instruments consist entirely of customer back-to-back interest rate swaps which are not designated as hedges. Under this program, the Company executes interest rate swaps with commercial banking customers to facilitate their risk management strategies. Those interest rate swaps
101
Table of Contents
are simultaneously hedged by offsetting derivatives that the Company executes with a third party, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions. As the interest rate derivatives associated with this program are not designated as hedging instruments, changes in the fair value of both the customer derivatives and the offsetting derivatives are recognized directly in earnings.
The Company's derivative instruments are carried at fair value and included in "Other assets" for derivatives with positive fair values and "Other liabilities" for derivatives with negative fair values on the consolidated balance sheets.
The table below presents the fair value of Company’s derivative financial instruments as of the dates indicated.
| As of December 31, 2025 | As of December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Notional Amount | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | Notional Amount | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer interest rate contracts | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offsetting counterparty interest rate contracts | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below presents the gains and losses recognized in income related to derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments. Gains and losses on interest rate swap not designated as hedges are included in "Other income, net" on the consolidated statements of income for the date indicated.
| (Losses) Gains | ||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Year Ended December 31, 2025 | Year Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Customer interest rate swaps and counterparty offsets | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||
The table below presents a gross presentation, the effects of offsetting, and a net presentation of the Company’s derivatives as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. The Company’s interest rate swaps are subject to master netting arrangements between the Company and its counterparties, however, the Company has not made a policy election to offset its derivative positions. The interest rate swaps with borrowers are cross collateralized with the underlying loan and, therefore, there is no posted collateral. Interest rate swap agreements with third-party counterparties contain provisions that require the Company to post collateral if the derivative exposure exceeds a threshold amount and receive collateral for agreements in a net asset position.
102
Table of Contents
| Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | Net Amounts of Assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Financial Instruments | Cash Collateral Received | Net Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | Net Amounts of Liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Financial Instruments | Cash Collateral Posted | Net Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The commitments to originate residential mortgage loans and forward loan sales commitments are freestanding derivative instruments which were immaterial at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
Credit-risk-related Contingent Features
The Company's agreements with its derivative counterparties contain a provision where if either party defaults on any of its indebtedness, then it could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. The agreements with derivative counterparties also include provisions that if not met, could result in the Company being declared in default on its derivative obligations, including if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company's default on the indebtedness. The Company has provisions in its derivative counterparty agreement providing that if the Company fails to maintain its status as a well-capitalized institution or is subject to a prompt corrective action directive, the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and the Company would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements.
Note 14. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal and most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) of identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
103
Table of Contents
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial instruments that were measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2025.
Description of Financial Instruments ($ in thousands) | Fair Value at December 31, 2025 | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recurring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities available for sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprise securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total available for sale securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Presold mortgages in process of settlement | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonrecurring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Individually evaluated loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreclosed real estate | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial instruments that were measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2024.
Description of Financial Instruments ($ in thousands) | Fair Value at December 31, 2024 | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recurring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities available for sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprise securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total available for sale securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Presold Mortgages in process of settlement | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonrecurring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Individually evaluated loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value.
Securities Available for Sale — When quoted market prices are available in an active market, the securities are classified as Level 1 in the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, but fair values can be estimated by observing quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, the securities are classified as Level 2 on the valuation hierarchy. Most of the fair values for the Company’s Level 2 securities are determined by the Company's third-party bond accounting provider using matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on
104
Table of Contents
quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. For the Company, Level 2 securities include US Treasury securities, mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed obligations, government-sponsored enterprise securities, and corporate bonds. In cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities may be classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.
The Company reviews the pricing methodologies utilized by the bond accounting provider to ensure the fair value determination is consistent with the applicable accounting guidance and that the investments are properly classified in the fair value hierarchy.
Presold Mortgages in Process of Settlement - The fair value is based on the committed price that an investor has agreed to pay for the loan which is considered a Level 2 input.
Derivative financial assets and liabilities - The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. These are considered a Level 2 input.
Individually evaluated loans — Fair values for individually evaluated loans are measured on a non-recurring basis and are based on the underlying collateral values securing the loans, adjusted for estimated selling costs, or the net present value of the cash flows expected to be received for such loans. Collateral may be in the form of real estate or business assets including equipment, inventory and accounts receivable. The vast majority of the collateral is real estate. The value of real estate collateral is generally determined by third-party appraisers using an income or market valuation approach based on an appraisal conducted by an independent, licensed third party appraiser (Level 3). The value of business equipment is based upon an outside appraisal if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable borrower’s financial statements if not considered significant. Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivable collateral are based on borrower financial statement balances or aging reports on a discounted basis as appropriate (Level 3). Appraisals used in this analysis are generally obtained at least annually based on when the loans first became impaired, and thus the appraisals are not necessarily as of the period ends presented. Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for credit losses on the consolidated statements of income.
Foreclosed real estate – Foreclosed real estate, consisting of properties obtained through foreclosure or in satisfaction of loans, is reported at the lower of cost or fair value. Fair value is measured on a non-recurring basis and is based upon independent market prices or current appraisals that are generally prepared using an income or market valuation approach and conducted by an independent, licensed third party appraiser, adjusted for estimated selling costs (Level 3). Appraisals used in this analysis are generally obtained at least annually based on when the assets were acquired, and thus the appraisals are not necessarily as of the period ends presented. At the time of foreclosure, any excess of the loan balance over the fair value of the real estate held as collateral is treated as a charge against the allowance for loan losses. For any real estate valuations subsequent to foreclosure, any excess of the real estate recorded value over the fair value of the real estate is treated as a foreclosed real estate write-down on the consolidated statements of income.
There were no significant changes in the reported amount of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on either a recurring or a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2025.
105
Table of Contents
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments not carried at fair value as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Level in Fair Value Hierarchy | Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and due from banks, noninterest-bearing | Level 1 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Due from banks, interest-bearing | Level 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities held to maturity | Level 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total loans, net of allowance | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SBA servicing asset | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits, money market and savings | Level 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | Level 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings | Level 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no highly liquid market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include net premises and equipment, intangible and other assets such as deferred income taxes, prepaid expense accounts, income taxes currently payable, and other various accrued expenses. In addition, the income tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.
Note 15. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense of $3.4 million, $4.3 million, and $4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, which is included in "Total personnel expense" on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
The Company recognized income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation expense in its income statement of $0.8 million, $1.0 million, and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
At December 31, 2025, the sole equity-based compensation plan for the Company is the First Bancorp 2024 Equity Plan (the "Equity Plan"), which was approved by shareholders on May 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025, the Equity Plan had 1,826,655 shares remaining available for grant.
The Equity Plan is intended to serve as a means to attract, retain, and motivate key employees and directors and to associate the interests of the Equity Plan's participants with those of the Company and its shareholders. The Equity Plan allows for both grants of stock options and other types of equity-based compensation, including stock appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted stock, restricted performance stock, and performance units. For the last several years, the only equity-based compensation granted by the Company has been shares of restricted stock, as it relates to employees, and unrestricted stock as it relates to non-employee directors.
Recent restricted stock awards to employees typically include service-related vesting conditions only. Compensation expense for these grants is recorded over the requisite service periods. Upon forfeiture, any previously recognized compensation cost is reversed. Upon a change in control (as defined in the Equity Plan), unless the awards remain outstanding or substitute equivalent awards are provided, the awards become immediately vested.
106
Table of Contents
Certain of the Company’s equity grants contain terms that provide for a graded vesting schedule whereby portions of the award vest in increments over the requisite service period. The Company recognizes compensation expense for awards with graded vesting schedules on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each incremental award. Compensation expense is based on the estimated number of stock awards that will ultimately vest. Over the past five years, there have been relatively few forfeitures, and therefore the Company assumes that all awards granted with service conditions will vest. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.
In addition to employee equity awards, the Company's practice is to grant unrestricted common shares to each non-employee director (currently nine in total) in June of each year. The grants were valued at approximately $37,500 in 2025, $37,500 in 2024 and $37,500 in 2023. Compensation expense associated with these director awards is fully recognized by the date of the award since there are no vesting conditions.
The following tables presents information regarding the activity during 2025, 2024 and 2023 related to the Company’s share grant to non-employee directors:
| For the year ended December 31, | Date of grant | Fair market value of common share | Common shares granted | Number of non-employee directors | Common shares granted per non-employee director | Grant expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | June 2, 2025 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | May 31, 2024 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | June 1, 2023 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The expense associated with director grants is classified as "Other operating expense" in the consolidated statements of income.
The following table presents information regarding the activity during 2023, 2024, and 2025 related to the Company’s outstanding restricted stock awards:
| Long-Term Restricted Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||
| Shares | Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| Nonvested at January 1, 2023 | $ | |||||||||||||
| Granted during the period | ||||||||||||||
| Vested during the period | ( | |||||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired during the period | ( | |||||||||||||
| Nonvested at December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Granted during the period | ||||||||||||||
| Vested during the period | ( | |||||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired during the period | ( | |||||||||||||
| Nonvested at December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||
| Granted during the period | ||||||||||||||
| Vested during the period | ( | |||||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired during the period | ( | |||||||||||||
| Nonvested at December 31, 2025 | $ | |||||||||||||
The total fair value of shares vested during 2025, 2024 and 2023 was $4.4 million, $5.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation expense as of December 31, 2025 amounted to $3.6 million with a weighted average remaining term of 2.1 years. For the nonvested awards that were outstanding at December 31, 2025, the Company expects to record $1.8 million in compensation expense in the next twelve months.
107
Table of Contents
As discussed in Note 2, in conjunction with the GrandSouth acquisition, GrandSouth common stock options outstanding at January 1, 2023 became fully vested under the change in control provisions in the GrandSouth option plans and were converted into replacement options to acquire 0.91 shares of the Company's common stock. The Company issues new shares of common stock when options are exercised. No options were granted in 2025.
Stock option activity and related information is presented below as of and for the periods indicated:
| Options Outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Replacement options issued in conjunction with acquisition of GrandSouth | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised during the period | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired during the period | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised during the period | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired during the period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised during the period | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired during the period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2025 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at December 31, 2025 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The fair value of the replacement options issued in conjunction with the GrandSouth acquisition as of January 1, 2023 was measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following table illustrates the assumptions for the Black-Scholes model used in determining the fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2023:
| Fair value per option, weighted average | $ | |||||||
| Expected life (years) | ||||||||
| Expected stock price volatility, weighted average | % | |||||||
| Expected dividend yield | % | |||||||
| Risk-free interest rate, weighted average | % | |||||||
| Expected forfeiture rate | % | |||||||
The expected life is based on historical exercises and forfeitures experience of the grantees. The volatility is based on historical price volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on a U.S. Treasury instrument with a life that is similar to the expected life of the option grant.
At December 31, 2025, the Company had no unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options. All unexercised options expire ten years after the applicable original grant dates under the GrandSouth stock option plan.
Note 16. Shareholders’ Equity
Rabbi Trust Obligations
With the acquisition of Carolina Bank in March 2017, the Company assumed a deferred compensation plan structured as a Rabbi Trust for certain members of Carolina Bank’s board of directors that is fully funded by Company common stock. Subsequent to the acquisition, payments have been made to plan participants and the related asset and liability were both $0.9 million at December 31, 2025 and $1.1 million at December 31, 2024, respectively, and are presented as components of shareholders’ equity.
108
Table of Contents
Stock Repurchases
Pursuant to authorizations by the Company's Board, the Company from time to time has repurchased shares of common stock in private transactions and in open-market purchases. On January 30, 2024, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $40.0 million of the Company’s common stock. Any such repurchases would be made pursuant to a plan approved by and containing provisions about the timing, purchase prices and quantities purchased determined by management in its discretion. During the year ended December 31, 2025, 24,849 shares were repurchased. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company did not make any such purchases. As of December 31, 2025, The Company has remaining authorization to purchase up to $39.0 million of outstanding stock under the program.
Note 17. Earnings Per Share
The following is a reconciliation of the income (numerator) and shares (denominator) used in computing Basic and Diluted EPS:
| For Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands except per share amounts) | Income | Shares | Per Share Amount | Income | Shares | Per Share Amount | Income | Shares | Per Share Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic EPS: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: income allocated to participating securities | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic EPS per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of Dilutive Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note 18. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The components of AOCI for the Company for the periods shown were as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on securities available for sale | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized loss on securities available for sale | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Postretirement plans (liability) asset | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net postretirement plans (liability) asset | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||
109
Table of Contents
The following table discloses the changes in AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 (all amounts are net of tax).
| ($ in thousands) | Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Available for Sale | Postretirement Plans (Liability) Asset | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance at December 31, 2023 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance at December 31, 2024 | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance at December 31, 2025 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI for unrealized gain (loss) on AFS securities represent realized securities gains or losses, net of tax effects. Amounts reclassified from AOCI for postretirement plans asset (liability) represent amortization of amounts included in AOCI, net of taxes, and are recorded in the "Other operating expenses" line item of the consolidated statements of income.
Note 19. Regulatory Restrictions
The Company is regulated by the Federal Reserve and is subject to securities registration and public reporting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Bank is regulated by the Federal Reserve and the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks.
The primary source of funds for the payment of dividends by the Company is dividends received from its subsidiary, the Bank. The Bank, as a North Carolina banking corporation, may declare dividends so long as such dividends do not reduce its capital below its applicable required capital (typically, the level of capital required to be deemed “adequately capitalized”). As of December 31, 2025, approximately $1.1 billion of the Company’s investment in the Bank was restricted as to transfer to the Company without obtaining prior regulatory approval.
There was no average reserve balance requirement under the requirements of the Federal Reserve at December 31, 2025.
The Company and the Bank must comply with regulatory capital requirements established by the Federal Reserve. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
110
Table of Contents
The Company’s and the Bank’s respective regulatory capital ratios as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, along with the minimum amounts required for capital adequacy purposes and to be well capitalized under prompt corrective action in effect at such times are presented below. There are no conditions or events since year-end that management believes have changed the Company’s or the Bank's classification.
| Actual | Fully Phased-In Regulatory Guidelines Minimum | To Be Well Capitalized Under Current Prompt Corrective Action Provisions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (must equal or exceed) | (must equal or exceed) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Equity Tier I Capital Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company | $ | % | $ | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Capital Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company | $ | % | $ | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tier I Capital Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company | $ | % | $ | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leverage Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company | $ | % | $ | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Equity Tier I Capital Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company | $ | % | $ | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Capital Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company | $ | % | $ | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tier I Capital Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company | $ | % | $ | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leverage Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company | $ | % | $ | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note 20. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
All of the Company’s revenues that are in the scope of the "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" accounting standard (“ASC 606”) are recognized within noninterest income. The following table presents the Company’s
111
Table of Contents
sources of noninterest income for years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023. Items outside the scope of ASC 606 are noted as such.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income in-scope of ASC 606: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Other service charges and fees: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bankcard Interchange income, net | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other service charges and fees | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions from sales of financial products | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Portion of other income in-scope of ASC 606 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income (in-scope of ASC 606) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income (out-of-scope of ASC 606) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total noninterest income | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
A description of the Company’s revenue streams accounted for under ASC 606 is detailed below.
Service charges on deposit accounts: The Company earns fees from its deposit customers for transaction-based, account maintenance, and overdraft services. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs. Maintenance and activity fees include account maintenance fees and transaction-based fees. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of the month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as ATM usage fees, stop payment charges, statement rendering, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request. Service charges on deposits are withdrawn from the customer’s account balance. Substantially all of these revenues are recognized at the point in time the services are provided.
Other service charges and fees: The Company earns interchange income on its customers’ debit and credit card usage and earns fees from other services utilized by its customers. "Bankcard interchange income" is primarily comprised of interchange fees earned whenever the Company’s debit and credit cards are processed through card payment networks such as MasterCard. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder. Interchange fees are offset with interchange expenses and are presented on a net basis. "Other service charges and fees" includes revenue from processing wire transfers, bill pay service, cashier’s checks, ATM surcharge fees, and other services. The Company’s performance obligation for fees, exchange, and other service charges are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month. Substantially all of these revenues are recognized at the point in time the services are provided, with some recognized in the following month.
Commissions from the sale of financial products: The Company earns commissions from the sale of wealth management products. Wealth management income primarily consists of commissions received on financial product sales, such as annuities. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied upon the issuance of the financial product. Shortly after the policy is issued, the carrier remits the commission payment to the Company, and the Company recognizes the revenue. The Company also earns some fees from asset management, which is billed quarterly and due upon billing for services rendered in the most recent period, for which the performance obligation has been satisfied. Substantially all of these revenues are recognized at the point in time that the services are provided.
Most contracts with customers are cancellable by either party without penalty or they are short-term in nature, with a contract duration of less than one year. Accordingly, most revenue deferred for the reporting period ended December 31, 2025 is expected to be earned within one year .
The Company has made no significant judgments in applying the revenue guidance prescribed in ASC 606 that affect the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from the above-described contracts with customers.
112
Table of Contents
Note 21. Supplementary Income Statement Information
Components of other noninterest income or noninterest expense exceeding 1% of total revenue for any of the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 are as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue threshold (1%) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bankcard Interchange income, net | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses – software costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses – data processing expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses – FDIC insurance expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
Note 22. Segment Reporting
The Company is a bank holding company, whose principal activity is the ownership and management the Bank, its wholly-owned subsidiary. As a community focused financial institution, substantially all of the Company’s operations involve the delivery of loan and deposit products or the provision of financial advice to customers. Management makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on an ongoing review of these banking operations, which constitute the Company’s only operating segment for financial reporting purposes.
The accounting policies of the banking operations segment are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total consolidated assets.
The role of chief operating decision maker is comprised of the executive leadership team to include the Company's Chief Executive Officer, the Bank's Chief Executive Officer, the Company's President, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, and the Company's Chief Operating Officer. The chief operating decision makers use pre-tax net income to allocate resources in the annual budget and forecasting process. The chief operating decision makers consider budget-to-actual variances on a monthly basis for profit measures when making decisions about allocating capital and personnel to the operating segment.
The chief operating decision makers use the Consolidated Statements of Income and Consolidated Balance Sheets to ascertain measures or performance such as revenue, profit or loss, significant expenses and assets.
Depreciation expense amounted to $6.8 million, $7.8 million, and $7.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Depreciation expense is recorded in Occupancy and equipment expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
113
Table of Contents
Note 23. Condensed Parent Company Information
Condensed financial data for the Company (parent company only) follows:
| CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||
| Cash on deposit with bank subsidiary | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Investment in subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||
| Premises and equipment | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities and shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Trust preferred securities | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Dividends from subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
114
Table of Contents
| CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating Activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in other assets | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in other liabilities | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investing Activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash received in acquisitions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Financing Activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayment of subordinated debentures | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Payment of common stock cash dividends | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from stock option exercises | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for shares withheld for payroll taxes on stock based compensation | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, beginning of year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
115
Table of Contents
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Shareholders and the Board of Directors of First Bancorp
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of First Bancorp (the "Company") as of December 31, 2025, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
116
Table of Contents
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Allowance and Provision for Credit Losses on Loans – Qualitative Adjustments to the Expected Credit Loss Rate
As described in Notes 1 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) is an estimate that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial assets. For collectively evaluated loans, the Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) method is used for substantially all pools. In determining the proper level of default rates and loss given default, management has determined that the loss experience of the Company provides the best basis for its assessment of expected credit losses. It therefore utilizes its own historical credit loss experience by each loan segment over an economic cycle. Management also considers forward-looking information in estimating expected credit losses. Management considers the need to qualitatively adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation process. These qualitative adjustments consider a range of maximum and minimum loss rates and can either increase or decrease the quantitative model estimation. Each period the Company considers qualitative adjustments that are relevant within the qualitative framework. This includes weighting and risk scoring among the qualitative adjustments within the qualitative framework.
We identified the auditing of the weighting and risk scoring of the qualitative adjustments as a critical audit matter because of the significant auditor judgment applied and significant audit effort required to evaluate the subjective and complex judgments made by management.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
Testing the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls over:
•Management’s evaluation of the relevance and reliability of data used in determination of the qualitative adjustments.
•Management’s methodology for qualitative adjustments and judgments in risk scoring and weighting qualitative adjustments to the ACL estimate
•Management’s significant assumptions, judgments, and conclusions reached in determining the qualitative adjustments.
Substantively testing management’s qualitative adjustments, which included:
•Evaluating the reasonableness of management’s methodology related to determining the qualitative adjustments.
117
Table of Contents
•Evaluating the reasonableness of management’s significant assumptions, judgments, and conclusions reached in determining the qualitative adjustments.
•Evaluating the relevance and reliability of data used by management in determining the qualitative adjustments.
•Testing the completeness and accuracy of data inputs to the CECL model which affects the accuracy of calculations of qualitative adjustments.
/s/ Crowe LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2025.
February 25, 2026
118
Table of Contents
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
First Bancorp
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Bancorp (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ BDO USA, P.C.
We have served as the Company's auditor from 2019 to 2024.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 26, 2025
119
Table of Contents
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, which are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on the evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in allowing timely decisions regarding disclosure to be made about material information required to be included in our periodic reports with the SEC.
Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting can also be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
Management is also responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements and other financial information contained in this report. The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with GAAP and include, as necessary, best estimates and judgments by management.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013) (the "Framework"). Based on management’s evaluation under the Framework, management of the Company has concluded the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(f), as of December 31, 2025.
Crowe LLP, an independent, registered public accounting firm, has audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2025, and audited the Company’s effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, as stated in their reports, which are included in Item 8 hereof.
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2025 that materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting
120
Table of Contents
Item 9B. Other Information
During the quarter ended December 31, 2025, no person who is required to file reports pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to holdings of, and transactions in, the Company’s common shares (i.e. directors and certain officers of the Company) maintained, adopted terminated
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
121
Table of Contents
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Incorporated herein by reference is the information under the captions “Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Corporate Governance Policies and Practices,” and “Board Committees, Attendance and Compensation” from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Incorporated herein by reference is the information under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Board Committees, Attendance and Compensation,” and "Pay Versus Performance" from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
Awards Made To Named Executive Officers
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Company did not award an option or other right to purchase or acquire its common shares during any period beginning four business days before the filing of a periodic report on Form 10-Q or the filing or furnishing of a report on Form 8-K that disclosed material nonpublic information and ending one business day after the filing or furnishing of such a report to any of the Company’s “named executive officers” (as such persons are specified in the Company’s Proxy Statements for its 2024 or 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders).
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
Incorporated herein by reference is the information under the captions “Principal Holders of First Bancorp Voting Securities” and “Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers” from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
Additional Information Regarding the Registrant’s Equity Compensation Plans
At December 31, 2025, the Company had one equity-based compensation plan, under which new grants of equity-based awards are possible.
The following table presents information as of December 31, 2025 regarding shares of the Company’s stock that may be issued pursuant to the Company’s equity-based compensation plans, including those plans that were assumed in conjunction with the GrandSouth acquisition. As discussed in Note 2 and Note 15, the outstanding options shown in the table below were all assumed in conjunction with the GrandSouth acquisition.
| As of December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Plan category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (1) | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 19,218 | $ | 18.89 | 1,826,655 | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 19,218 | $ | 18.89 | 1,826,655 | ||||||||||||||||
| (1) Consists of the Company’s 2024 Equity Plan, which is currently in effect. | ||||||||||||||||||||
122
Table of Contents
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Incorporated herein by reference is the information under the caption “Certain Transactions” and “Corporate Governance Policies and Practices” from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Incorporated herein by reference is the information under the caption “Audit Committee Report” from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
123
Table of Contents
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
| (a) 1. | Financial Statements - See Item 8 and the Cross Reference Index on page 3 for information concerning the Company’s consolidated financial statements and report of independent auditors. | ||||
| 2. | Financial Statement Schedules - not applicable | ||||
| 3. | Exhibits | ||||
| The following exhibits are filed with this report or, as noted, are incorporated by reference. Except as noted below the exhibits identified have SEC File No. 000-15572. Management contracts, compensatory plans and arrangements are marked with an asterisk (*). | |||||
| 3.a | Articles of Incorporation of the Company and amendments thereto were filed as Exhibits 3.a.i through 3.a.v to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002, and are incorporated herein by reference. Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation were filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 13, 2009, and are incorporated herein by reference. Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation were filed as Exhibit 3.1.b to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3D filed on June 29, 2010 (Commission File No. 333-167856), and are incorporated herein by reference. Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation were filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2011, and are incorporated herein by reference. Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation were filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 26, 2012, and are incorporated herein by reference. Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation were filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 14, 2022, and are incorporated herein by reference. | ||||
| 3.b | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company were filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 9, 2018, and are incorporated herein by reference. | ||||
| 4.a | Form of Common Stock Certificate was filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999, and is incorporated herein by reference. | ||||
| 4.b | Description of the Company's securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. | ||||
| 10.a | Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its Directors and Officers was filed as Exhibit 10.a to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and is incorporated herein by reference. | ||||
| 10.b | First Bancorp Senior Management Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective January 1, 2009 was filed as Exhibit 10.b to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.c | First Bancorp 2014 Equity Plan was filed as Appendix B to the Registrant’s Form Def 14A filed on April 4, 2014, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.d | First Bancorp Long Term Care Insurance Plan was filed as Exhibit 10(o) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, and is incorporated by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.e | Advances and Security Agreement with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta dated February 15, 2005 was attached as Exhibit 99(a) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2005, and is incorporated herein by reference. | ||||
| 10.f | Form of Stock Option and Performance Unit Award Agreement was filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2008, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.g | First Bancorp Employees’ Pension Plan, including amendments, was filed as Exhibit 10.v to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.h | Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard H. Moore dated August 28, 2012 was filed as Exhibit 10.a to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, and is incorporated herein by reference. Amendments to this agreement were filed in the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2017 and February 9, 2018 and are incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.i | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and among the Company and the Bank and Michael G. Mayer effective February 7, 2025 was filed as Exhibit 10.k to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 6, 2025 and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.j | Amendment to the First Bancorp Senior Management Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated March 11, 2014 was filed as Exhibit 10.aa to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.k | The Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan Document was filed as Exhibit 10.q to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.l | The Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan Adoption Agreement dated January 30, 2017 was filed as Exhibit 10.r to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.m | The Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan Adoption Agreement dated February 26, 2018 was filed as Exhibit 10.s to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.n | The Company’s Annual Incentive Plan for certain employees and executive officers was filed as Exhibit 10.q to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
124
Table of Contents
| 10.o | Employment Agreement by and among the Company and the Bank and G. Adams Currie Jr. dated December 23, 2021 was filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K on December 23, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.p | Employment Agreement by and among the Company and the Bank and Elizabeth B. Bostian dated December 23, 2021 as filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K on December 23, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.q | Form of First Amendment to Employment and Change of Control Agreement entered into effective November 6, 2023 with each of its named executive officers was filed as Exhibit 10.a to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 10.r | First Bancorp 2024 Equity Plan and form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement as filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 31, 2024 (Commission File No. 333-279858) and is incorporated herein by reference (*) | ||||
| 10.s | Employment Agreement by and among the Company and the Bank and Christian Wilson dated February 7, 2025 as filed as Exhibit 10.u to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K on February 6, 2025 and is incorporated by reference (*) | ||||
| 19.a | Securities Law Compliance Policy | ||||
| 19.b | Insider Trading and Section 16 Reporting Policy | ||||
| 21 | List of Subsidiaries of Registrant | ||||
| 23.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Crowe LLP | ||||
| 23.2 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, BDO USA, P.C. | ||||
| 31.1 | Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | ||||
| 31.2 | Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | ||||
| 32.1 | Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | ||||
| 32.2 | Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | ||||
| 97 | Excess Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy dated October 23, 2023 was filed as Exhibit 97 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*) | ||||
| 101 | The following financial information from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | ||||
| (b) | Exhibits - see (a)(3) above. | ||||
| (c) | No financial statement schedules are filed herewith. | ||||
Copies of exhibits are available upon written request to: First Bancorp, Investor Relations, 101 North Spring Street, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27401.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
125
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, FIRST BANCORP has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Southern Pines, and State of North Carolina, on February 25, 2026.
First Bancorp | ||
By: /s/ Richard H. Moore | ||
| Richard H. Moore | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed on behalf of the Company by the following persons and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Executive Officers | ||||||||
/s/ Richard H. Moore | /s/ Elizabeth B. Bostian | /s/ T. Brent Hicks | ||||||
| Richard H. Moore Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board | Elizabeth B. Bostian Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | T. Brent Hicks Executive Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer | ||||||
| February 25, 2026 | February 25, 2026 | February 25, 2026 | ||||||
| Board of Directors | ||||||||
/s/ James C. Crawford, III | /s/ Richard H. Moore | |||||||
| James C. Crawford, III Lead Independent Director Director | Richard H. Moore Chairman of the Board Director | |||||||
| February 25, 2026 | February 25, 2026 | |||||||
| /s/ G. Adam Currie | /s/ Carlie C. McLamb, Jr. | |||||||
| G. Adam Currie Director | Carlie C. McLamb, Jr. Director | |||||||
| February 25, 2026 | February 25, 2026 | |||||||
/s/ Suzanne DeFerie | /s/ Dexter V. Perry | |||||||
Suzanne DeFerie Director | Dexter V. Perry Director | |||||||
| February 25, 2026 | February 25, 2026 | |||||||
/s/ Abby J. Donnelly | /s/ O. Temple Sloan, III | |||||||
Abby J. Donnelly Director | O. Temple Sloan, III Director | |||||||
| February 25, 2026 | February 25, 2026 | |||||||
| /s/ Michael G. Mayer | /s/ Frederick L. Taylor II | |||||||
| Michael G. Mayer Director | Frederick L. Taylor II Director | |||||||
| February 25, 2026 | February 25, 2026 | |||||||
| /s/ John W. McCauley | ||||||||
| John W. McCauley Director | ||||||||
| February 25, 2026 | ||||||||
126
FAQ
What is First Bancorp (FBNC) and where does it operate?
First Bancorp (FBNC) is a North Carolina-based commercial bank holding company with $12.7 billion in assets. It operates 113 branches across North and South Carolina, offering a full range of retail and commercial banking, specialty finance, wealth management, and insurance-related services.
How large is First Bancorp (FBNC) based on its 2025 annual report?
First Bancorp (FBNC) reports total assets of $12.7 billion as of December 31, 2025. It also lists $8.7 billion in total loans, $10.7 billion in deposits, and $1.7 billion in shareholders’ equity, reflecting a sizable regional banking franchise in the Carolinas.
What are the main lending and investment activities of First Bancorp (FBNC)?
First Bancorp (FBNC) focuses on diversified commercial and retail lending, including CRE, construction, C&I, and consumer loans. It also maintains an investment portfolio of U.S. government, agency, mortgage-backed, municipal, and select corporate securities, managed under strict concentration, maturity, and credit-quality guidelines.
Which markets and customer segments does First Bancorp (FBNC) target?
First Bancorp (FBNC) serves small- to medium-sized businesses and consumers in North and South Carolina, including major metros like Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Asheville, Wilmington, Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston. It emphasizes community banking, local decision-making, and relationship-based service in competitive deposit and loan markets.
What key risks does First Bancorp (FBNC) highlight in its 10-K filing?
First Bancorp (FBNC) emphasizes risks from economic conditions, interest-rate shifts, commercial real estate exposure, credit quality, CECL-based allowance estimation, liquidity and uninsured deposits, cybersecurity threats, vendor dependence, and extensive regulation by the Federal Reserve, FDIC, CFPB, and state banking authorities.
How has First Bancorp (FBNC) grown through acquisitions in recent years?
First Bancorp (FBNC) has expanded via acquisitions including GrandSouth Bancorp in 2023 ($1.2 billion in assets), Select Bancorp in 2021 ($1.8 billion), Magnolia Financial in 2020, ASB Bancorp in 2017, and Carolina Bank Holdings in 2017, broadening its Carolina footprint and specialty finance capabilities.
First Bancorp N C
NASDAQ:FBNC
FBNC Rankings
FBNC Latest News
Jan 27, 2026
First Bancorp Announces Retirement of Director
Dec 12, 2025
First Bancorp Announces Cash Dividend
FBNC Latest SEC Filings
Feb 27, 2026
[Form 4] FIRST BANCORP /NC/ Insider Trading Activity
Feb 4, 2026
[144] FIRST BANCORP /NC/ SEC Filing