Charlotte, North Carolina, November 6th / PRNewswire / -- First Bank announces the opening of a new SouthPark branch and office. This bank is a subsidiary of First Bancorp ( NASDAQ : FBNC ). This move marks an important milestone for the bank and also reflects a significant investment in its continued growth in Charlotte.

First Bank CEO Adam Currie stated: "Charlotte has always been an important part of First Bank's growth, and our investment in SouthPark reflects our long-term commitment to this market. We have built an excellent team here and established strong relationships with the customers and communities we serve. This new location provides our team with more resources to serve our customers, seek new opportunities, and solidify our position in the market."

This momentum has been supported by strong financial performance and nationwide recognition. First Bank was included in Forbes' first "Best Performing Banks in the World" list in 2026. The list evaluates financial institutions based on a number of objective indicators, including profitability, growth and quality of earnings, capital and financing resilience, as well as asset quality and efficiency.

Earlier this year, First Bank was still ranked 14th among U.S. listed banks with assets exceeding $10 billion in S& P Global Market Intelligence's assessment of financial performance for 2025, based on indicators such as growth, profitability, safety, and stability.

First Bank, Senior Vice President of the Charlotte Region and Regional Head, Andrew Griffin stated: "This SouthPark represents an exciting next step for our team and the customers we serve. We have extensive experience in this market and are committed to understanding the needs of each customer to provide appropriate solutions. This new space allows us to enhance this experience while continuing to build lasting relationships throughout the region."

SouthPark branches will provide a comprehensive range of financial services, including commercial and corporate banking, personal banking, loans, and wealth management solutions. The expanded office space will also support the employees of First Bank in serving customers in the Charlotte market. SouthPark reflects the continuous evolution of First Bank, combining strong regional influence with personnel, expertise, and resources in order to better serve a growing market in the coming years.

About First Bank

First Bank is a banking subsidiary of First Bancorp, with its headquarters located in Southern Pines in North Carolina, and has total assets of approximately 13.2 billion US dollars. As a state-chartered, community-oriented bank, First Bank operates 113 banking branches in North Carolina and South Carolina. Since 1935, First Bank has been providing banking services in a customized manner, combining first-class financial solutions with local expertise to help customers achieve their dreams. The common stocks of First Bancorp are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FBNC”. For more information, please visit www.LocalFirstBank.com. FDIC is a member of the Equal Housing Loan Institutions.