SOUTHERN PINES, N.C., Jan. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FBNC), the parent company of First Bank, announced today fourth quarter of 2016 net income available to common shareholders of $8.4 million, or $0.40 per diluted common share, an increase of 23.6% from the $6.8 million, or $0.33 per diluted common share, recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015. The significant increase in quarterly earnings was the result of loan and deposit growth, as well as other initiatives that increased profitability.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded net income available to common shareholders of $27.3 million, or $1.33 per diluted common share, compared to the $26.4 million, or $1.30 per diluted common share, recorded in 2015. Results for 2016 were negatively impacted by the Company's early termination of its FDIC loss share agreements, the impact of which was partially offset by a gain realized from a branch exchange during the Company's third quarter.

Other highlights for the fourth quarter and year include:


    --  Loan growth of $59.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, which
        represents 8.9% annualized growth. Loan growth for the year was $191.8
        million, an increase of 7.6%.
    --  Deposit growth of $36.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, which
        represents 5.0% annualized growth. Deposit growth for the year amounted
        to $136.1 million, an increase of 4.8%.
    --  During the first half of 2016, the Company completed the purchase of an
        insurance agency and a firm that specializes in providing consulting
        services for financial institutions across the country related to Small
        Business Administration ("SBA") loan origination and servicing. These
        acquisitions diversified the Company's revenue sources and increased
        noninterest income.
    --  During the second half of 2016, the Company launched its own SBA lending
        division, which offers SBA loans to small business owners throughout the
        United States. Gains of $1.4 million were realized in the second half of
        2016 related to sales of the guaranteed portions of these loans.
    --  During the third quarter of 2016, the Company completed a branch
        exchange with First Community Bank, headquartered in Bluefield,
        Virginia. The Company exchanged its seven branches in Virginia for six
        of First Community Bank's branches in North Carolina, with four
        locations in Winston-Salem and one each in Mooresville and Huntersville.
        The Company recorded a gain of $1.5 million on this transaction.
    --  The Company terminated all loss share agreements with the FDIC during
        the third quarter of 2016, which resulted in a charge of approximately
        $5.7 million. The loss share agreements arose from the acquisitions of
        failed banks in 2009 and 2011.
    --  In June 2016, the Company announced its entry into an agreement to
        acquire Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiary,
        Carolina Bank, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina with
        approximately $700 million in assets. The closing of this transaction is
        expected to occur prior to March 31, 2017.
    --  During 2016, the Company significantly increased its presence in
        Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Winston-Salem, high growth markets in
        North Carolina, through a combination of personnel additions and new
        office locations.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2016 amounted to $31.3 million, a 4.1% increase from the $30.1 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2016 amounted to $123.4 million, a 3.0% increase from the $119.7 million recorded in 2015. The higher net interest income was primarily due to growth in the Company's loans outstanding.

The Company's net interest margin (tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average earning assets) in the fourth quarter of 2016 was 3.94% compared to 4.05% for the fourth quarter of 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company's net interest margin was 4.03% compared to 4.13% in 2015. The lower margins in 2016 were primarily due to lower loan yields, which have been impacted by the continued low interest rate environment.

Excluding the effects of discount accretion, the Company's net interest margin was 3.83% for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to 3.94% for the fourth quarter of 2015, with the loan yield for the fourth quarter of 2016 being 4.47% compared to 4.56% for the fourth quarter of 2015.

See the Financial Summary for a table that presents the impact of loan discount accretion on net interest income. Also see the Financial Summary for a reconciliation of the Company's net interest margin to the net interest margin excluding loan discount accretion, and other information regarding this ratio.

Provision for Loan Losses and Asset Quality

The Company recorded no provision for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to a negative provision of $43,000 in the fourth quarter of 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a negative provision for loan losses of $23,000 compared to a negative provision of $780,000 in 2015.

For periods prior to the third quarter of 2016, the Company's provision for loan losses was disclosed in separate line items between covered loans and non-covered loans, as shown in the attached tables. Generally, the Company had recorded provisions for loan losses on non-covered loans as a result of net charge-offs and loan growth, while significant recoveries in the Company's covered loan portfolios resulted in negative provisions for loan losses. Upon the termination of the FDIC loss share agreements, effective September 22, 2016, all loans are classified as non-covered.

The Company's provision for loan loss levels have been impacted by continued improvement in asset quality. Nonperforming assets amounted to $59.1 million at December 31, 2016, a decrease of 33.8% from the $89.3 million one year earlier. The Company's nonperforming assets to total assets ratio was 1.64% at December 31, 2016 compared to 2.66% at December 31, 2015. Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 were 0.12% and 0.14%, respectively, compared to 0.23% and 0.46%, respectively, for the comparable periods of 2015.

Noninterest Income

Total noninterest income was $9.5 million and $5.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2016, noninterest income amounted to $25.6 million compared to $18.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Core noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $9.7 million, an increase of 30.4% from the $7.4 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2015. For the full year of 2016, core noninterest income amounted to $35.0 million, a 19.3% increase from the $29.3 million recorded in 2015. Core noninterest income includes i) service charges on deposit accounts, ii) other service charges, commissions, and fees, iii) fees from presold mortgages, iv) commissions from financial product sales, v) SBA consulting fees, vi) SBA loan sale gains and vii) bank-owned life insurance income.

The increases in core noninterest income are primarily the result of the following initiatives by the Company to increase noninterest income:


    --  On January 1, 2016, the Company acquired Bankingport, Inc., an insurance
        agency located in Sanford, North Carolina, which is primarily
        responsible for the increases in commissions from financial product
        sales in the accompanying tables.
    --  On May 5, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of a firm that
        specializes in providing consulting services for financial institutions
        across the country related to SBA loan origination and servicing. The
        Company recorded $3.2 million in SBA consulting fees from the date of
        the acquisition through December 31, 2016.
    --  In the third quarter of 2016, the Company launched a national SBA
        lending division. This division offers SBA loans to small business
        owners throughout the United States. Since the launch in the third
        quarter of 2016, this division originated $24.8 million of SBA loans and
        earned $1.4 million from gains on the sales of the guaranteed portions
        of these loans.

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded no indemnification asset expense compared to $1.5 million in indemnification asset expense in the fourth quarter of 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2016, indemnification asset expense amounted to $10.3 million compared to $8.6 million in indemnification asset expense for 2015. As previously discussed, effective September 22, 2016, the Company terminated its FDIC loss share agreements, which resulted in the Company recording indemnification asset expense of $5.7 million during the third quarter of 2016.

Included in the $1.4 million of "Other gains (losses)" recorded for the year ended December 31, 2016, is a net gain of $1.5 million as a result of the branch exchange with First Community Bank, which was completed during the third quarter of 2016.

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest expenses amounted to $28.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to $25.5 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015. Noninterest expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 amounted to $106.8 million compared to $98.1 million recorded in 2015.

Salaries expense increased to $13.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 from the $12.2 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015. Salaries expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 amounted to $51.3 million compared to $47.7 million in 2015. The primary reason for increases in salaries expense is due to the growth initiatives previously discussed.

Merger and acquisition expenses amounted to $0.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared to none in the comparable periods of 2015.

Balance Sheet and Capital

Total assets at December 31, 2016 amounted to $3.6 billion, a 7.5% increase from a year earlier. Total loans at December 31, 2016 amounted to $2.7 billion, a 7.6% increase from a year earlier, and total deposits amounted to $2.9 billion at December 31, 2016, a 4.8% increase from a year earlier.

The $192 million increase in the Company's loans at December 31, 2016 compared to a year earlier is primarily related to ongoing internal initiatives to drive loan growth, including the Company's expansion into higher growth markets.

Total deposits increased $136 million at December 31, 2016 compared to December 31, 2015, which was driven by a $175 million increase, or 8.3%, in checking, money market and savings accounts. Retail time deposits declined by $99 million, or 15.8%, over this same period, while deposits obtained from brokers increased $60 million, or 78.6%.

On December 22, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with a shareholder to exchange 728,706 shares of the Company's preferred stock for the same number of shares of the Company's common stock. As a result of this exchange, the Company has no shares of preferred stock currently outstanding. This transaction did not affect the Company's total amount of equity.

The Company remains well-capitalized by all regulatory standards, with a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio at December 31, 2016 of 13.33% compared to the 10.00% minimum to be considered well-capitalized. The Company's tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 8.16% at December 31, 2016, an increase of three basis points from a year earlier.

Comments of the CEO and Other Business Matters

Richard H. Moore, CEO of First Bancorp, commented on today's report, "We are pleased with our results for 2016. We experienced solid loan and deposit growth and our fourth quarter earnings were especially strong. We also completed several initiatives that we believe will benefit our shareholders for years to come, and we look forward to completing our pending acquisition of Carolina Bank." Mr. Moore continued, "We thank our customers for the opportunity to be of service."

In addition to the business developments previously discussed, the following were noted during the fourth quarter of 2016:


    --  On November 14, 2016, First Bank opened a full service branch in
        Greenville, North Carolina. The branch is located at 1201 E. Arlington
        Boulevard. First Bank had opened a loan production office in Greenville
        in the fourth quarter of 2012.
    --  The Company expects its acquisition of Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. to
        be completed during the first quarter of 2017 following receipt of all
        regulatory approvals. The transaction was approved by the shareholders
        of Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. on December 20, 2016.
    --  On December 15, 2016, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of
        $0.08 cents per share payable on January 25, 2017 to shareholders of
        record on December 31, 2016. This is the same dividend rate as the
        Company declared in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Note Regarding Components of Earnings

For the periods presented, the Company's results of operations were significantly affected by the accounting for two FDIC-assisted failed bank acquisitions. In the discussion above and in the accompanying tables, the term "covered" is used to describe assets that were included in FDIC loss share agreements, while the term "non-covered" refers to the Company's legacy assets, which are not included in any type of loss share arrangement. As previously discussed, all loss share agreements were terminated in the third quarter of 2016 and thus the entire loan portfolio is now classified as non-covered. Certain prior period disclosures will continue to present the breakout of the loan portfolio between covered and non-covered.

Certain covered loans continued to have an unaccreted discount associated with them at the time of transfer to non-covered status. Such loans that experience favorable changes in credit quality compared to what was expected at the acquisition date, including loans that pay off, will continue to result in positive adjustments to interest income being recorded over the life of the respective loan - also referred to as loan discount accretion.

For periods prior to July 1, 2016, because favorable changes in covered assets resulted in lower expected FDIC claims, and unfavorable changes in covered assets resulted in higher expected FDIC claims, the FDIC indemnification asset was adjusted to reflect those expectations. The net increase or decrease in the indemnification asset was reflected within noninterest income, with the net impact being that pretax income was generally only impacted by 20% of the income or expense associated with provisions for loan losses on covered loans, discount accretion, and losses from covered foreclosed properties.

First Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $3.6 billion. Its principal activity is the ownership and operation of First Bank, a state-chartered community bank that operates 89 branches in North Carolina and South Carolina. First Bank also has loan production offices in Greensboro, North Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina. First Bank also provides SBA loans to customers through its nationwide network of lenders - for more information on First Bank's SBA lending capabilities, please visit www.firstbanksba.com. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC."

Please visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, predictions, expectations or beliefs about future events or results or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualifying words (and their derivatives) such as "expect," "believe," "estimate," "plan," "project," "anticipate," or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of the Company and its management about future events. Factors that could influence the accuracy of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the financial success or changing strategies of the Company's customers, the Company's level of success in integrating acquisitions, actions of government regulators, the level of market interest rates, and general economic conditions. For additional information about the factors that could affect the matters discussed in this paragraph, see the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K available at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements. The Company is also not responsible for changes made to the press release by wire services, internet services or other media.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WITH CAROLINA BANK AND WHERE TO FIND IT

This communication includes statements made in respect of the proposed transaction involving First Bancorp and Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. ("Carolina Bank"). This material is not a solicitation of any vote or approval of Carolina Bank's shareholders and is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus or any other documents which First Bancorp and Carolina Bank may send to their respective shareholders in connection with the proposed merger. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

In connection with the proposed transaction, First Bancorp has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that includes a proxy statement of Carolina Bank and a prospectus of First Bancorp, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders are also urged to carefully review and consider each of First Bancorp's and Carolina Bank's public filings with the SEC, including but not limited to their Annual Reports on Form 10-K, their proxy statements, their Current Reports on Form 8-K and their Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. BEFORE MAKING ANY INVESTMENT DECISIONS, INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF CAROLINA BANK ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE ENTIRE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED MERGER AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus and other filings containing information about First Bancorp and Carolina Bank at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders may also obtain free copies of the documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by First Bancorp on its website at http://www.localfirstbank.com and by Carolina Bank on its website at http://www.carolinabank.com.



                                                         First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

                                                           Financial Summary - Page 1
                                                           ==========================


                                                                                        Three Months Ended

                                                                                           December 31,    Percent
                                                                                           ------------

    ($ in thousands except per share data - unaudited)                                        2016             2015 Change
    -------------------------------------------------                                         ----             ---- ------


    INCOME STATEMENT


    Interest income
    ---------------

       Interest and fees on loans                                                          $31,021           29,615

       Interest on investment securities                                                     1,998            2,057

       Other interest income                                                                   271              135
                                                                                               ---              ---

          Total interest income                                                             33,290           31,807         4.7%
                                                                                            ------           ------

    Interest expense
    ----------------

       Interest on deposits                                                                  1,310            1,264

       Interest on borrowings                                                                  687              490
                                                                                               ---              ---

          Total interest expense                                                             1,997            1,754        13.9%
                                                                                             -----            -----

            Net interest income                                                             31,293           30,053         4.1%

    Provision for loan losses - non-covered loans                                                -             636

    Provision (reversal) for loan losses - covered loans                                         -           (679)
                                                                                               ---            ----

    Total provision (reversal) for loan losses                                                   -            (43)         n/m
                                                                                               ---             ---

    Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                     31,293           30,096         4.0%
                                                                                            ------           ------

    Noninterest income
    ------------------

       Service charges on deposit accounts                                                   2,611            2,924

       Other service charges, commissions, and fees                                          3,044            2,815

       Fees from presold mortgages                                                             542              512

       Commissions from financial product sales                                                946              663

       SBA consulting fees                                                                   1,301                -

       SBA loan sale gains                                                                     739                -

       Bank-owned life insurance income                                                        526              529

       Foreclosed property gains (losses)                                                    (436)              36

       FDIC indemnification asset expense, net                                                   -         (1,530)

       Securities gains (losses)                                                                 -               -

       Other gains (losses)                                                                    200            (224)
                                                                                               ---             ----

          Total noninterest income                                                           9,473            5,725        65.5%
                                                                                             -----            -----

    Noninterest expenses
    --------------------

       Salaries expense                                                                     13,787           12,204

       Employee benefit expense                                                              2,920            2,432

       Occupancy and equipment expense                                                       2,962            2,798

       Merger and acquisition expenses                                                         145                -

       Intangibles amortization                                                                377              181

       Other operating expenses                                                              7,992            7,888
                                                                                             -----            -----

          Total noninterest expenses                                                        28,183           25,503        10.5%
                                                                                            ------           ------

    Income before income taxes                                                              12,583           10,318        22.0%

    Income taxes                                                                             4,228            3,521        20.1%
                                                                                             -----            -----

    Net income                                                                               8,355            6,797        22.9%


    Preferred stock dividends                                                                    -            (37)


    Net income available to common shareholders                                             $8,355            6,760        23.6%
                                                                                            ======            =====



    Earnings per common share - basic                                                        $0.41             0.34        20.6%

    Earnings per common share - diluted                                                       0.40             0.33        21.2%


    ADDITIONAL INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION
    ---------------------------------------

       Net interest income, as reported                                                    $31,293           30,053

       Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)                                                           544              423
                                                                                               ---              ---

       Net interest income, tax-equivalent                                                 $31,837           30,476         4.5%
                                                                                           =======           ======


             (1)   This amount reflects the tax benefit that the Company receives related to its tax-exempt loans
                    and securities, which carry interest rates lower than similar taxable investments due to their
                    tax-exempt status.  This amount has been computed assuming a 38% tax rate and is reduced
                    by the related nondeductible portion of interest expense.

    n/m = not meaningful



                                                         First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

                                                           Financial Summary - Page 2
                                                           ==========================


                                                                                        Twelve Months Ended

                                                                                           December 31,     Percent
                                                                                           ------------

    ($ in thousands except per share data - unaudited)                                        2016              2015 Change
    -------------------------------------------------                                         ----              ---- ------


    INCOME STATEMENT


    Interest income
    ---------------

       Interest and fees on loans                                                         $121,322           117,872

       Interest on investment securities                                                     8,782             8,125

       Other interest income                                                                   883               658
                                                                                               ---               ---

          Total interest income                                                            130,987           126,655         3.4%
                                                                                           -------           -------

    Interest expense
    ----------------

       Interest on deposits                                                                  5,170             5,319

       Other, primarily borrowings                                                           2,437             1,589
                                                                                             -----             -----

          Total interest expense                                                             7,607             6,908        10.1%
                                                                                             -----             -----

            Net interest income                                                            123,380           119,747         3.0%

    Provision for loan losses - non-covered loans                                            2,109             2,008

    Provision (reversal) for loan losses - covered loans                                   (2,132)          (2,788)
                                                                                            ------            ------

    Total provision (reversal) for loan losses                                                (23)            (780)         n/m
                                                                                               ---              ----

    Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                    123,403           120,527         2.4%
                                                                                           -------           -------

    Noninterest income
    ------------------

       Service charges on deposit accounts                                                  10,571            11,648

       Other service charges, commissions, and fees                                         11,913            10,906

       Fees from presold mortgages                                                           2,033             2,532

       Commissions from financial product sales                                              3,790             2,580

       SBA consulting fees                                                                   3,199                 -

       SBA loan sale gains                                                                   1,433                 -

       Bank-owned life insurance income                                                      2,052             1,665

       Foreclosed property gains (losses)                                                    (625)          (1,486)

       FDIC indemnification asset expense, net                                            (10,255)          (8,615)

       Securities gains (losses)                                                                 3               (1)

       Other gains (losses)                                                                  1,437             (465)
                                                                                             -----              ----

          Total noninterest income                                                          25,551            18,764        36.2%
                                                                                            ------            ------

    Noninterest expenses
    --------------------

       Salaries expense                                                                     51,252            47,660

       Employee benefit expense                                                             10,812             9,134

       Occupancy and equipment expense                                                      11,446            11,107

       Merger and acquisition expenses                                                       1,431                 -

       Intangibles amortization                                                              1,211               722

       Other operating expenses                                                             30,669            29,508
                                                                                            ------            ------

          Total noninterest expenses                                                       106,821            98,131         8.9%
                                                                                           -------            ------

    Income before income taxes                                                              42,133            41,160         2.4%

    Income taxes                                                                            14,624            14,126         3.5%
                                                                                            ------            ------

    Net income                                                                              27,509            27,034         1.8%


    Preferred stock dividends                                                                (175)            (603)


    Net income available to common shareholders                                            $27,334            26,431         3.4%
                                                                                           =======            ======



    Earnings per common share - basic                                                        $1.37              1.34         2.2%

    Earnings per common share - diluted                                                       1.33              1.30         2.3%


    ADDITIONAL INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION
    ---------------------------------------

       Net interest income, as reported                                                   $123,380           119,747

       Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)                                                         2,054             1,634
                                                                                             -----             -----

       Net interest income, tax-equivalent                                                $125,434           121,381         3.3%
                                                                                          ========           =======


             (1)   This amount reflects the tax benefit that the Company receives related to its tax-exempt loans
                    and securities, which carry interest rates lower than similar taxable investments due to their
                    tax-exempt status.  This amount has been computed assuming a 38% tax rate and is reduced
                    by the related nondeductible portion of interest expense.

    n/m = not meaningful




                                                                             First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

                                                                               Financial Summary - Page 3
                                                                               ==========================


                                                                                                                   Three Months Ended                                               Twelve Months Ended

                                                                                                                      December 31,                                                      December 31,
                                                                                                                      ------------                                                      ------------

    PERFORMANCE RATIOS (annualized)                                                                                   2016              2015                                   2016                                2015
                                                                                                                      ----              ----

    Return on average assets (1)                                                                                     0.94%            0.82%                                 0.80%                              0.82%

    Return on average common equity (2)                                                                              9.17%            7.96%                                 7.73%                              8.04%

    Net interest margin - tax-equivalent (3)                                                                         3.94%            4.05%                                 4.03%                              4.13%

    Net charge-offs to average loans                                                                                 0.12%            0.23%                                 0.14%                              0.46%


    COMMON SHARE DATA

    Cash dividends declared - common                                                                                 $0.08             $0.08                                  $0.32                               $0.32

    Stated book value - common                                                                                       17.66             16.96                                  17.66                               16.96

    Tangible book value - common                                                                                     13.85             13.56                                  13.85                               13.56

    Common shares outstanding at end of period                                                                  20,844,505        19,747,509                             20,844,505                          19,747,509

    Weighted average shares outstanding - basic                                                                 20,146,230        19,787,459                             19,964,727                          19,767,470

    Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted                                                               20,852,861        20,522,125                             20,732,917                          20,499,727


    CAPITAL RATIOS

    Tangible common equity to tangible assets                                                                        8.16%            8.13%                                 8.16%                              8.13%

    Common equity tier I capital ratio                                                                              10.87%           11.22%                                10.87%                             11.22%

    Tier I leverage ratio                                                                                           10.09%           10.38%                                10.09%                             10.38%

    Tier I risk-based capital ratio                                                                                 12.46%           13.30%                                12.46%                             13.30%

    Total risk-based capital ratio                                                                                  13.33%           14.45%                                13.33%                             14.45%


    AVERAGE BALANCES ($ in thousands)

    Total assets                                                                                                $3,539,363        $3,282,853                             $3,422,267                          $3,230,302

    Loans                                                                                                        2,683,493         2,504,022                              2,603,327                           2,434,602

    Earning assets                                                                                               3,214,719         2,982,356                              3,108,918                           2,936,624

    Deposits                                                                                                     2,905,501         2,732,231                              2,827,513                           2,687,381

    Interest-bearing liabilities                                                                                 2,380,614         2,258,911                              2,324,823                           2,218,246

    Shareholders' equity                                                                                           369,037           348,777                                360,715                             376,287


    (1) Calculated by dividing annualized net income available to common shareholders by average assets.

    (2) Calculated by dividing annualized net income available to common shareholders by average common equity.

    (3) See footnote 1 on page 1 of Financial Summary for discussion of tax-equivalent adjustments.


    TREND INFORMATION

    ($ in thousands except per share data)                                                                                For the Three Months Ended
                                                                                                                          --------------------------

                                                                                                             December 31,    September 30,           June 30,         March 31,                 December 31,
                                                                                                                      2016              2016                     2016           2016                                2015
    INCOME STATEMENT



    Net interest income - tax-equivalent (1)                                                                       $31,837            30,888                   32,055         30,654                              30,476

    Taxable equivalent adjustment (1)                                                                                  544               534                      517            459                                 423

    Net interest income                                                                                             31,293            30,354                   31,538         30,195                              30,053

    Provision for loan losses - non-covered                                                                              -                -                     489          1,621                                 636

    Provision (reversal) for loan losses - covered                                                                       -                -                   (770)       (1,363)                              (679)

    Noninterest income                                                                                               9,473             5,157                    5,919          5,002                               5,725

    Noninterest expense                                                                                             28,183            27,718                   26,147         24,773                              25,503

    Income before income taxes                                                                                      12,583             7,793                   11,591         10,166                              10,318

    Income tax expense                                                                                               4,228             3,115                    3,952          3,329                               3,521

    Net income                                                                                                       8,355             4,678                    7,639          6,837                               6,797

    Preferred stock dividends                                                                                            -             (58)                    (59)          (58)                               (37)

    Net income available to common shareholders                                                                      8,355             4,620                    7,580          6,779                               6,760


    Earnings per common share - basic                                                                                 0.41              0.23                     0.38           0.34                                0.34

    Earnings per common share - diluted                                                                               0.40              0.23                     0.37           0.33                                0.33



    (1) See footnote 1 on page 1 of Financial Summary for discussion of tax-equivalent adjustments.
    ===============================================================================================



                                                                         First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

                                                                           Financial Summary - Page 4
                                                                           ==========================


                                                                     At Dec. 31,                        At Sept. 30,           At Dec. 31,            One
                                                                                        2016                              2016                   2015    Year
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                                                                                                                       Change

    ($ in thousands - unaudited)
                                                                                                                                                               ---

                                                       Assets

    Cash and due from banks                                                          $71,645                            64,145                 53,285           34.5%

    Interest bearing deposits with banks                                             234,348                           217,188                213,983            9.5%
                                                                                     -------                           -------                -------

         Total cash and cash equivalents                                             305,993                           281,333                267,268           14.5%
                                                                                     -------                           -------                -------


    Investment securities                                                            329,042                           334,964                320,224            2.8%

    Presold mortgages                                                                  2,116                             4,094                  4,323         (51.1%)


    Loans - non-covered                                                            2,710,712                         2,651,459              2,416,285

    Loans - covered (1)                                                                    -                                -               102,641
                                                                                         ---                              ---               -------

         Total loans                                                               2,710,712                         2,651,459              2,518,926            7.6%

         Allowance for loan losses                                                  (23,781)                         (24,575)              (28,583)        (16.8%)
                                                                                     -------                           -------                -------

         Net loans                                                                 2,686,931                         2,626,884              2,490,343            7.9%
                                                                                   ---------                         ---------              ---------


    Premises and equipment                                                            75,351                            76,731                 74,559            1.1%

    FDIC indemnification asset                                                             -                                -                 8,439             n/m

    Intangible assets                                                                 79,475                            79,995                 67,171           18.3%

    Foreclosed real estate                                                             9,532                            10,103                  9,994          (4.6%)

    Bank-owned life insurance                                                         74,138                            73,613                 72,086            2.8%

    Other assets                                                                      52,284                            49,530                 47,658            9.7%
                                                                                      ------                            ------                 ------

         Total assets                                                             $3,614,862                         3,537,247              3,362,065            7.5%
                                                                                  ==========                         =========              =========



                                                    Liabilities

    Deposits:

         Non-interest bearing checking accounts                                     $756,003                           749,256                659,038           14.7%

         Interest bearing checking accounts                                          635,431                           593,065                626,878            1.4%

         Money market accounts                                                       683,680                           658,166                636,692            7.4%

         Savings accounts                                                            209,074                           207,494                186,616           12.0%

         Brokered deposits                                                           136,466                           147,406                 76,412           78.6%

         Other time deposits > $100,000                                              287,939                           306,041                329,819         (12.7%)

         Other time deposits                                                         238,760                           249,412                295,830         (19.3%)
                                                                                     -------                           -------                -------

              Total deposits                                                       2,947,353                         2,910,840              2,811,285            4.8%


    Borrowings                                                                       271,394                           236,394                186,394           45.6%

    Other liabilities                                                                 28,014                            25,065                 22,196           26.2%
                                                                                      ------                            ------                 ------

         Total liabilities                                                         3,246,761                         3,172,299              3,019,875            7.5%
                                                                                   ---------                         ---------              ---------


                                                Shareholders' equity

    Preferred stock                                                                        -                            7,287                  7,287             n/m

    Common stock                                                                     147,287                           139,979                133,393           10.4%

    Retained earnings                                                                225,921                           219,233                205,060           10.2%

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                             (5,107)                          (1,551)               (3,550)        (43.9%)
                                                                                      ------                            ------                 ------

         Total shareholders' equity                                                  368,101                           364,948                342,190            7.6%
                                                                                     -------                           -------                -------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                    $3,614,862                         3,537,247              3,362,065            7.5%
                                                                                  ==========                         =========              =========


             (1)   All FDIC loss share agreements were terminated effective September 22, 2016, and accordingly,
                    assets previously covered under those agreements became non-covered on that date.


    n/m = not meaningful


                                                                                                                                             First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

                                                                                                                                               Financial Summary - Page 5
                                                                                                                                               ==========================


                                                                                                                  For the Three Months Ended
                                                                                                                  --------------------------

                                                                                                                  December 31,                                    September 30,        June 30,          March 31,          December 31,
                                                                                                                                     2016                                         2016                                2016                   2015
    YIELD INFORMATION                                                                                                                                                                           2016
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           ---


    Yield on loans                                                                                                                  4.60%                                       4.52%            4.83%             4.70%                 4.69%

    Yield on securities - tax-equivalent (1)                                                                                        3.09%                                       3.05%            3.06%             3.26%                 2.99%

    Yield on other earning assets                                                                                                   0.53%                                       0.58%            0.61%             0.54%                 0.36%

       Yield on all interest earning assets                                                                                         4.19%                                       4.17%            4.45%             4.32%                 4.29%


    Rate on interest bearing deposits                                                                                               0.24%                                       0.24%            0.25%             0.25%                 0.24%

    Rate on other interest bearing liabilities                                                                                      1.15%                                       1.13%            1.20%             1.18%                 1.05%

       Rate on all interest bearing liabilities                                                                                     0.33%                                       0.33%            0.32%             0.33%                 0.31%

         Total cost of funds                                                                                                        0.25%                                       0.25%            0.25%             0.25%                 0.24%


            Net interest margin - tax-equivalent (2)                                                                                3.94%                                       3.93%            4.21%             4.07%                 4.05%

            Average prime rate                                                                                                      3.55%                                       3.50%            3.50%             3.50%                 3.29%


    (1) See footnote 1 on page 1 of Financial Summary for discussion of tax-equivalent adjustments.

    (2) Calculated by dividing annualized tax-equivalent net interest income by average earning assets for the period.  See footnote 1 on
              page 1 of Financial Summary for discussion of tax-equivalent adjustments.
              =========================================================================



                                                                                                                For the Three Months Ended
                                                                                                                --------------------------

                                                       NET INTEREST INCOME PURCHASE
                                                          ACCOUNTING ADJUSTMENTS
                                                                                                                  December 31,                                    September 30,        June 30,          March 31,          December 31,
                                            ($ in thousands)                                                                         2016                                         2016              2016               2016                   2015
                                            ---------------                                                                          ----                                         ----              ----               ----                   ----


    Interest income - increased by accretion of
            loan discount
                                                                                                                                     $898                                          822             1,676              1,055                    854

         Impact on net interest income                                                                                               $898                                          822             1,676              1,055                    854
                                                                                                                                     ====                                          ===             =====              =====                    ===




                                                                                                                  December 31,                                    September 30,        June 30,          March 31,          December 31,
                                                                                                                                     2016                                         2016              2016               2016                   2015
    ASSET QUALITY DATA ($ in thousands)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           ---


    Nonperforming assets
    --------------------

    Nonaccrual loans                                                                                                              $27,468                                       32,796            37,975             41,411                 47,810

    Troubled debt restructurings - accruing                                                                                        22,138                                       27,273            29,271             30,514                 31,489

    Accruing loans > 90 days past due                                                                                                   -                                           -                -                 -                     -
                                                                                                                                      ---                                         ---              ---               ---                   ---

    Total nonperforming loans                                                                                                      49,606                                       60,069            67,246             71,925                 79,299

    Foreclosed real estate                                                                                                          9,532                                       10,103            10,606             10,336                  9,994
                                                                                                                                    -----                                       ------            ------             ------                  -----

    Total nonperforming assets                                                                                                    $59,138                                       70,172            77,852             82,261                 89,293
                                                                                                                                  =======                                       ======            ======             ======                 ======

    Total covered nonperforming assets
         included above (1)
                                                                                                                         $              -                                           -            8,024             10,698                 12,100
                                                                                                                         ================                                         ===            =====             ======                 ======



    Asset Quality Ratios
    --------------------

    Net quarterly charge-offs to average loans -                                                                                    0.12%                                       0.06%            0.05%             0.35%                 0.23%
    annualized

    Nonperforming loans to total loans                                                                                              1.83%                                       2.27%            2.59%             2.83%                 3.15%

    Nonperforming assets to total assets                                                                                            1.64%                                       1.98%            2.25%             2.43%                 2.66%

    Allowance for loan losses to total loans                                                                                        0.88%                                       0.93%            1.00%             1.05%                 1.13%


    (1)  All FDIC loss share agreements were terminated effective September 22, 2016 and, accordingly, assets previously covered under
              those agreements became non-covered on that date.


                                                                                                                                                     First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

                                                                                                                                                       Financial Summary - Page 6
                                                                                                                                                       ==========================


                                                                                                                                        For the Three Months Ended
                                                                                                                                        --------------------------

    NET INTEREST MARGIN, EXCLUDING                                                                                   December 31,                                      September 30,                                      June 30,                                    March 31,                      December 31,
    LOAN DISCOUNT ACCRETION -                                                                                                           2016                                                2016                                          2016                                          2016                           2015
    RECONCILIATION

    ($ in thousands)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ---


    Net interest income, as reported                                                                                                 $31,293                                              30,354                                        31,538                                        30,195                         30,053

    Tax-equivalent adjustment                                                                                                            544                                                 534                                           517                                           459                            423
                                                                                                                                         ---                                                 ---                                           ---                                           ---                            ---

    Net interest income, tax-equivalent (A)                                                                                          $31,837                                              30,888                                        32,055                                        30,654                         30,476
                                                                                                                                     =======                                              ======                                        ======                                        ======                         ======

                                                                                                                                  $3,214,719                                           3,127,219                                     3,064,959                                     3,028,775                      2,982,356

    Average earning assets (B)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ===

    Tax-equivalent net interest
         margin, annualized - as reported -  (A)/(B)
                                                                                                                                       3.94%                                              3.93%                                        4.21%                                        4.07%                         4.05%
                                                                                                                                        ====                                                ====                                          ====                                          ====                           ====


    Net interest income, tax-equivalent                                                                                              $31,837                                              30,888                                        32,055                                        30,654                         30,476

    Loan discount accretion                                                                                                              898                                                 822                                         1,676                                         1,055                            854
                                                                                                                                         ---                                                 ---                                         -----                                         -----                            ---

    Net interest income, tax-equivalent, excluding                                                                                   $30,939                                              30,066                                        30,379                                        29,599                         29,622
         loan discount accretion  (A)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ===

                                                                                                                                  $3,214,719                                           3,127,219                                     3,064,959                                     3,028,775                      2,982,356
    Average earnings assets  (B)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ===

    Tax-equivalent net interest margin, excluding                                                                                      3.83%                                              3.82%                                        3.99%                                        3.93%                         3.94%
         impact of loan discount accretion,
         annualized - (A) / (B)




    Note:  The measure "tax-equivalent net interest margin, excluding impact of loan discount accretion" is a non-GAAP performance measure.  Management of the Company believes that it is useful to calculate and present the Company's net interest margin without the impact of loan discount
     accretion for the reasons explained in the remainder of this paragraph.  Loan discount accretion is a non-cash interest income adjustment related to the Company's acquisition of loans and represents the portion of the fair value discount that was initially recorded on the acquired loans
     that is being recognized into income over the lives of the loans.  At December 31, 2016, the Company had a remaining loan discount balance of $12.7 million compared to $15.3 million at December 31, 2015.  For the related loans that perform and pay-down over time, the loan discount will
     also be reduced, with a corresponding increase to interest income.  Therefore management of the Company believes it is useful to also present this ratio to reflect the Company's net interest margin excluding this non-cash, temporary loan discount accretion adjustment to aid investors in
     comparing financial results between periods.  The Company cautions that non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the Company's reported GAAP results.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-bancorp-reports-fourth-quarter-and-annual-results-300397112.html

SOURCE First Bancorp