SOUTHERN PINES, N.C., July 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FBNC), the parent company of First Bank, announced today net income available to common shareholders of $7.6 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2016, an increase of 25.7% compared to the $6.0 million, or $0.30 per diluted common share, recorded in the second quarter of 2015.

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded net income available to common shareholders of $14.4 million, or $0.70 per diluted common share, an increase of 12.2% compared to the $12.8 million, or $0.63 per common share, for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The higher earnings were primarily related to increased interest income resulting from loan growth and lower provisions for loan losses.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $31.5 million, a 6.5% increase from the $29.6 million recorded in the second quarter of 2015. Net interest income for the first six months of 2016 amounted to $61.7 million, a 4.1% increase from the $59.3 million recorded in the comparable period of 2015. The increases were primarily due to growth in the Company's loans outstanding and higher yields realized on investment securities.

The Company's net interest margin (tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average earning assets) in the second quarter of 2016 was 4.21% compared to 4.15% for the second quarter of 2015. The higher margin was primarily due to higher amounts of discount accretion on loans purchased in failed-bank acquisitions - see additional discussion below. Additionally, in the second quarter of 2016, the Company realized $332,000 in previously foregone interest related to the pay off of two loans that had been on nonaccrual basis. For the six month period ended June 30, 2016, the Company's net interest margin was 4.14% compared to 4.17% for the same period in 2015. The lower margin was primarily due to lower loan yields, which have been impacted by the continued low interest rate environment. As shown in the accompanying tables, loan discount accretion amounted to $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2016, compared to $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2015. For both the first six months of 2016 and 2015, loan discount accretion amounted to $2.7 million.

Excluding the effects of discount accretion on purchased loans, the Company's net interest margin has remained stable, amounting to 3.99% for both the second quarters of 2016 and 2015. While the Company's net interest margin has experienced compression due to lower loan yields, the compression was offset during the quarter by higher yields on investment securities and the aforementioned realization of previously foregone interest income. See the Financial Summary for a table that presents the impact of loan discount accretion that affects 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 a total negative provision for loan losses (reduction of the allowance for loan losses) of $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to a total provision for loan losses of $0.8 million in the second quarter of 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded a total negative provision for loan losses of $23,000 compared to a total provision for loan losses of $0.7 million in the same period of 2015. As discussed below, the Company records provisions for loan losses related to both non-covered and covered loan portfolios - see explanation of the terms "non-covered" and "covered" in the section below entitled "Note Regarding Components of Earnings."

The provision for loan losses on non-covered loans amounted to $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2015. The lower provision in 2016 primarily resulted from improved asset quality, including lower net loan charge-offs and a decline in nonperforming assets. For the first six months of 2016, the provision for loan losses on non-covered loans amounted to $2.1 million compared to $1.1 million for the same period of 2015. In 2015, a prolonged period of stable and improving loan quality trends resulted in a minimal amount of provision for loan losses that was needed to adjust the Company's allowance for loan losses to the appropriate amount.

The Company recorded a negative provision for loan losses on covered loans (reduction of allowance for loan losses) of $0.8 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to a $0.2 million negative provision for loan losses in the second quarter of 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded a negative provision for loan losses on covered loans of $2.1 million compared to a $0.4 million negative provision for loan losses in the comparable period of 2015. The increase in the negative provisions in 2016 resulted primarily from higher net loan recoveries (recoveries, net of charge-offs) realized during the period.

Total non-covered nonperforming assets amounted to $69.8 million at June 30, 2016 (2.06% of total non-covered assets), which includes the impact of the April 1, 2016 transfer of $4.0 million in nonperforming assets from covered status to non-covered status upon the scheduled expiration of a loss share agreement with the FDIC associated with those assets. Total non-covered nonperforming assets amounted to $77.2 million at December 31, 2015 (2.37% of total non-covered assets), and $86.1 million at June 30, 2015 (2.78% of total non-covered assets). The decline in non-covered nonperforming assets is primarily due to on-going resolution of nonperforming assets and improving credit quality.

Total covered nonperforming assets also declined over the past year, amounting to $8.0 million at June 30, 2016, $12.1 million at December 31, 2015, and $13.2 million at June 30, 2015. Over the past twelve months, the Company has resolved a significant amount of covered loans and has experienced strong property sales along the North Carolina coast, which is where most of the Company's covered assets are located. Also, as discussed in the preceding paragraph, on April 1, 2016, the Company transferred $4.0 million in nonperforming assets from covered status to non-covered status upon the expiration of a loss share agreement.

Noninterest Income

Total noninterest income was $5.9 million and $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 3016, noninterest income amounted to $10.9 million compared to $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

Core noninterest income for the second quarter of 2016 was $8.2 million, an increase of 10.1% from the $7.4 million reported for the second quarter of 2015. For the first six months of 2016, core noninterest income amounted to $15.5 million, a 6.2% increase from the $14.6 million recorded in the comparable period of 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, and vi) bank-owned life insurance income. The primary reason for the increase in core noninterest income was the addition of SBA consulting fees during the second quarter of 2016. On May 5, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of a firm that specializes in consulting with financial institutions across the country related to Small Business Administration ("SBA") loan origination and servicing. The Company recorded $0.7 million in SBA consulting fees from the date of the acquisition through June 30, 2016.

In 2016, the Company has also experienced an increase in commissions from financial product sales, which includes property and casualty insurance commissions. Property and casualty insurance commissions have increased due to the Company's January 1, 2016 acquisition of Bankingport, Inc., an insurance agency located in Sanford, North Carolina.

Fees from presold mortgages declined to $0.4 million for the second quarter of 2016 from $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2015. For the first half of 2016, fees from presold mortgages declined to $0.8 million from the $1.5 million recorded in the comparable period of 2015. These declines were due to fewer mortgage loan originations.

Noncore components of noninterest income resulted in a net decrease to income of $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to a net decrease to income of $2.4 million in the second quarter of 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded net decreases to income of $4.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively, related to noncore components of noninterest income.

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest expenses amounted to $26.1 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to $24.3 million recorded in the second quarter of 2015. Noninterest expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2016 amounted to $50.9 million compared to $48.0 million recorded in the first half of 2015.

Salaries expense increased to $12.6 million in the second quarter of 2016 from the $11.6 million recorded in the second quarter of 2015. Salaries expense for the first half of 2016 amounted to $24.0 million compared to $23.1 million in 2015. The primary reason for increases in salaries expense is due to the aforementioned 2016 acquisitions of an insurance agency and an SBA consulting firm.

Employee benefits expense was $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2015. For the first six months of 2016, employee benefits expense amounted to $5.3 million compared to $4.5 million for the same period of 2015. The increases were primarily the result of a $0.1 million and a $0.5 million increase in employee health insurance expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016. The Company is self-insured for health care expense and has experienced unfavorable claim levels in 2016. Another factor impacting the increases is the acquisitions discussed above.

Merger and acquisition expenses amounted to $0.5 million and $0.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, compared to none in the comparable periods in 2015.

Balance Sheet and Capital

Total assets at June 30, 2016 amounted to $3.5 billion, a 7.9% increase from a year earlier. Total loans at June 30, 2016 amounted to $2.6 billion, a 7.7% increase from a year earlier, and total deposits amounted to $2.9 billion at June 30, 2016, an 8.3% increase from a year earlier.

Non-covered loans increased to $2.52 billion at June 30, 2016, reflecting growth of $220.8 million, or 9.6% from June 30, 2015, as a result of ongoing internal initiatives to drive loan growth. Included in this increase is the reclassification of $17.7 million in loans from covered status to non-covered status in connection with the April 1, 2016 expiration of a loss share agreement. Loans covered by FDIC loss share agreements declined 31.1% over the past year and are expected to continue to decline as those loans continue to pay down.

The increase in total deposits at June 30, 2016 compared to June 30, 2015 was primarily due to increases in checking, money market and savings accounts, which increased in total by $252.1 million, or 13.1%, over the past year. Those increases were partially offset by net decreases in time deposits, which declined a total of $33.2 million, or 4.6%, over the past year. Time deposits are generally one of the Company's most expensive funding sources, and thus the shift from this category benefitted the Company's overall cost of funds.

The Company remains well-capitalized by all regulatory standards, with a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio at June 30, 2016 of 14.10% compared to the 10.00% minimum to be considered well-capitalized. The Company's tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 8.18% at June 30, 2016, a decrease of six basis points from a year earlier.

Comments of the President and Other Business Matters

Richard H. Moore, President and CEO of First Bancorp, commented on today's report, "Today's earnings report reflects another strong quarter for our company. We experienced good growth in earnings, loans, and deposits, and asset quality trends are favorable. Our 2016 acquisitions of an insurance agency and a loan consulting firm are expected to diversify our sources of revenue, and our recently completed branch exchange and the pending acquisition of Carolina Bank Holdings continue our expansion into larger markets." Mr. Moore continued, "We thank our customers for the opportunity to be of service."

The following is a list of business development and other miscellaneous matters affecting the Company:


    --  On July 15, 2016, the Company completed the exchange of its seven First
        Bank branches located in Virginia to First Community Bank in return for
        six of that bank's branches located in North Carolina. Four of the six
        branches acquired were in Winston-Salem, with the other two branches
        being in the Charlotte-metro markets of Mooresville and Huntersville.
    --  On June 21, 2016, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement
        to acquire Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. headquartered in Greensboro,
        North Carolina. The merger consideration is a combination of cash and
        stock, with each share of Carolina Bank Holdings stock being exchanged
        for either $20.00 in cash or 1.002 shares of First Bancorp stock,
        subject to the total consideration being 75% stock / 25% cash. This
        transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be
        completed during the fourth quarter of 2016 or first quarter of 2017.
    --  On June 15, 2016, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of
        $0.08 cents per share payable on July 25, 2016 to shareholders of record
        on June 30, 2016. This is the same dividend rate as the Company declared
        in the second quarter of 2015.

Note Regarding Components of Earnings

The Company's results of operations are significantly affected by the on-going accounting for two FDIC-assisted failed bank acquisitions. In the discussion above, the term "covered" is used to describe assets included as part of FDIC loss share agreements, which generally result in the FDIC reimbursing the Company for 80% of losses incurred on those assets. The term "non-covered" refers to the Company's legacy assets, which are not included in any type of loss share arrangement.

For covered loans that deteriorate in terms of repayment expectations, the Company records immediate allowances through the provision for loan losses. For covered loans that experience favorable changes in credit quality compared to what was expected at the acquisition date, including loans that pay off, the Company records positive adjustments to interest income over the life of the respective loan - also referred to as loan discount accretion. For covered foreclosed properties that are sold at gains or losses or that are written down to lower values, the Company records the gains/losses within noninterest income.

The adjustments discussed above are recorded within the income statement line items noted without consideration of the FDIC loss share agreements. Because favorable changes in covered assets result in lower expected FDIC claims, and unfavorable changes in covered assets result in higher expected FDIC claims, the FDIC indemnification asset is adjusted to reflect those expectations. The net increase or decrease in the indemnification asset is reflected within noninterest income.

The adjustments noted above can result in volatility within individual income statement line items. Because of the FDIC loss share agreements and the associated indemnification asset, pretax income resulting from amounts recorded as provisions for loan losses on covered loans, discount accretion, and losses from covered foreclosed properties is generally only impacted by 20% of these amounts due to the corresponding adjustments made to the indemnification asset.

* * *

First Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $3.5 billion. Its principal activity is the ownership and operation of First Bank, a state-chartered community bank that operates 87 branches in North Carolina and South Carolina. First Bank also has loan production offices in the North Carolina cities of Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, and Raleigh. 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 intends to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include 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. Both Carolina Bank and First Bancorp will mail the joint proxy statement/prospectus to the shareholders of Carolina Bank. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR 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 WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE 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 (when available) 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, Carolina Bank and certain of their respective directors and executive officers, under the SEC's rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Carolina Bank's shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of First Bancorp and their ownership of First Bancorp common stock is set forth in the proxy statement for First Bancorp's 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A on April 4, 2016. Information about the directors and executive officers of Carolina Bank and their ownership of Carolina Bank's common stock is set forth in the proxy statement for Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc.'s 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on April 5, 2016. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.


                                                                                                  First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

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


                                                                                                                                          Three Months Ended               Percent

                                                                                                                                               June 30,
                                                                                                                                               --------

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


    INCOME STATEMENT


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

       Interest and fees on loans                                                                                                                         $30,809                28,953

       Interest on investment securities                                                                                                     2,393                   2,121

       Other interest income                                                                                                                   177                     186
                                                                                                                                               ---                     ---

          Total interest income                                                                                                             33,379                  31,260                      6.8%
                                                                                                                                            ------                  ------

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

       Interest on deposits                                                                                                                  1,286                   1,340

       Interest on borrowings                                                                                                                  555                     315
                                                                                                                                               ---                     ---

          Total interest expense                                                                                                             1,841                   1,655                     11.2%
                                                                                                                                             -----                   -----

            Net interest income                                                                                                             31,538                  29,605                      6.5%
                                                                                                                                            ------                  ------

    Provision for loan losses - non-covered loans                                                                                              489                   1,001

    Provision (reversal) for loan losses - covered loans                                                                                     (770)                  (160)
                                                                                                                                              ----                    ----

    Total provision (reversal) for loan losses                                                                                               (281)                    841                       n/m
                                                                                                                                              ----                     ---

    Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                                                                     31,819                  28,764                     10.6%
                                                                                                                                            ------                  ------

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

       Service charges on deposit accounts                                                                                                   2,565                   2,881

       Other service charges, commissions, and fees                                                                                          3,043                   2,771

       Fees from presold mortgages                                                                                                             410                     731

       Commissions from financial product sales                                                                                                937                     665

       SBA consulting fees                                                                                                                     720                                  -

       Bank-owned life insurance income                                                                                                        504                     383

       Foreclosed property gains (losses) - non-covered                                                                                      (556)                  (580)

       Foreclosed property gains (losses) - covered                                                                                            423                     254

       FDIC indemnification asset income (expense), net                                                                                    (2,178)                (1,828)

       Securities gains (losses)                                                                                                                 -                                 -

       Other gains (losses)                                                                                                                     51                   (273)
                                                                                                                                               ---                    ----

          Total noninterest income                                                                                                           5,919                   5,004                     18.3%
                                                                                                                                             -----                   -----

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

       Salaries expense                                                                                                                     12,560                  11,581

       Employee benefit expense                                                                                                              2,578                   2,298

       Occupancy and equipment expense                                                                                                       2,762                   2,761

       Merger and acquisition expenses                                                                                                         485                                  -

       Intangibles amortization                                                                                                                261                     180

       Other operating expenses                                                                                                              7,501                   7,480
                                                                                                                                             -----                   -----

          Total noninterest expenses                                                                                                        26,147                  24,300                      7.6%
                                                                                                                                            ------                  ------

    Income before income taxes                                                                                                              11,591                   9,468                     22.4%

    Income taxes                                                                                                                             3,952                   3,224                     22.6%
                                                                                                                                             -----                   -----

    Net income                                                                                                                               7,639                   6,244                     22.3%


    Preferred stock dividends                                                                                                                 (59)                  (212)


    Net income available to common shareholders                                                                                                            $7,580                 6,032              25.7%
                                                                                                                                                           ======                 =====



    Earnings per common share - basic                                                                                                                       $0.38                  0.30              26.7%

    Earnings per common share - diluted                                                                                                       0.37                    0.30                     23.3%


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

       Net interest income, as reported                                                                                                                   $31,538                29,605

       Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)                                                                                                           517                     402
                                                                                                                                               ---                     ---

       Net interest income, tax-equivalent                                                                                                                $32,055                30,007               6.8%
                                                                                                                                                          =======                ======


    (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
                                                                                                                   ==========================


                                                                                                                                                               Six Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                                   June 30,                      Percent
                                                                                                                                                                   --------

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


    INCOME STATEMENT


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

       Interest and fees on loans                                                                                                                                               $60,382                 58,394

       Interest on investment securities                                                                                                                          4,661                    3,943

       Other interest income                                                                                                                                        399                      381
                                                                                                                                                                    ---                      ---

          Total interest income                                                                                                                                  65,442                   62,718                       4.3%
                                                                                                                                                                 ------                   ------

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

       Interest on deposits                                                                                                                                       2,606                    2,798

       Other, primarily borrowings                                                                                                                                1,103                      612
                                                                                                                                                                  -----                      ---

          Total interest expense                                                                                                                                  3,709                    3,410                       8.8%
                                                                                                                                                                  -----                    -----

            Net interest income                                                                                                                                  61,733                   59,308                       4.1%
                                                                                                                                                                 ------                   ------

    Provision for loan losses - non-covered loans                                                                                                                 2,109                    1,105                      90.9%

    Provision (reversal) for loan losses - covered loans                                                                                                        (2,132)                   (428)                       n/m
                                                                                                                                                                 ------                     ----

    Total provision (reversal) for loan losses                                                                                                                     (23)                     677                        n/m
                                                                                                                                                                    ---                      ---

    Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                                                                                          61,756                   58,631                       5.3%
                                                                                                                                                                 ------                   ------

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

       Service charges on deposit accounts                                                                                                                        5,250                    5,773

       Other service charges, commissions, and fees                                                                                                               5,873                    5,313

       Fees from presold mortgages                                                                                                                                  781                    1,539

       Commissions from financial product sales                                                                                                                   1,875                    1,226

       SBA Consulting Fees                                                                                                                                          720                                    -

       Bank-owned life insurance income                                                                                                                           1,012                      754

       Foreclosed property gains (losses) - non-covered                                                                                                           (793)                 (1,075)

       Foreclosed property gains (losses) - covered                                                                                                                 870                      492

       FDIC indemnification asset income (expense), net                                                                                                         (4,544)                 (4,220)

       Securities gains                                                                                                                                               3                                    -

       Other gains (losses)                                                                                                                                       (126)                   (269)
                                                                                                                                                                   ----                     ----

          Total noninterest income                                                                                                                               10,921                    9,533                      14.6%
                                                                                                                                                                 ------                    -----

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

       Salaries expense                                                                                                                                          24,035                   23,078

       Employee benefit expense                                                                                                                                   5,284                    4,481

       Occupancy and equipment expense                                                                                                                            5,575                    5,586

       Merger and acquisition expenses                                                                                                                              686                                    -

       Intangibles amortization                                                                                                                                     447                      360

       Other operating expenses                                                                                                                                  14,893                   14,509
                                                                                                                                                                 ------                   ------

          Total noninterest expenses                                                                                                                             50,920                   48,014                       6.1%
                                                                                                                                                                 ------                   ------

    Income before income taxes                                                                                                                                   21,757                   20,150                       8.0%

    Income taxes                                                                                                                                                  7,281                    6,918                       5.2%
                                                                                                                                                                  -----                    -----

    Net income                                                                                                                                                   14,476                   13,232                       9.4%


    Preferred stock dividends                                                                                                                                     (117)                   (429)


    Net income available to common shareholders                                                                                                                                 $14,359                 12,803              12.2%
                                                                                                                                                                                =======                 ======



    Earnings per common share - basic                                                                                                                                             $0.72                   0.65              10.8%

    Earnings per common share - diluted                                                                                                                            0.70                     0.63                      11.1%


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

       Net interest income, as reported                                                                                                                                         $61,733                 59,308

       Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)                                                                                                                                976                      792
                                                                                                                                                                    ---                      ---

       Net interest income, tax-equivalent                                                                                                                                      $62,709                 60,100               4.3%
                                                                                                                                                                                =======                 ======


    (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                             Six Months Ended

                                                                                                                          June 30,                                      June 30,
                                                                                                                          --------                                      --------

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

    Return on average assets (1)                                                                                       0.90%         0.76%                                             0.86%           0.81%

    Return on average common equity (2)                                                                                8.68%         7.42%                                             8.33%           7.98%

    Net interest margin - tax-equivalent (3)                                                                           4.21%         4.15%                                             4.14%           4.17%

    Net charge-offs to average loans - non-covered                                                                     0.18%         0.81%                                             0.35%           0.83%


    COMMON SHARE DATA

    Cash dividends declared - common                                                                                                 $0.08            0.08                                                             $0.16        0.16

    Stated book value - common                                                                                         17.64          16.51                                              17.64            16.51

    Tangible book value - common                                                                                       13.80          13.10                                              13.80            13.10

    Common shares outstanding at end of period                                                                    20,087,942     19,780,017                                         20,087,942       19,780,017

    Weighted average shares outstanding - basic                                                                   19,921,413     19,778,640                                         19,852,580       19,750,316

    Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted                                                                 20,693,644     20,508,955                                         20,627,012       20,481,466


    CAPITAL RATIOS

    Tangible equity to tangible assets                                                                                 8.39%         9.47%                                             8.39%           9.47%

    Tangible common equity to tangible assets                                                                          8.18%         8.24%                                             8.18%           8.24%

    Common equity tier I capital ratio                                                                                11.09%        11.44%                                            11.09%          11.44%

    Tier I leverage ratio                                                                                             10.38%        11.29%                                            10.38%          11.29%

    Tier I risk-based capital ratio                                                                                   13.08%        14.97%                                            13.08%          14.97%

    Total risk-based capital ratio                                                                                    14.10%        16.23%                                            14.10%          16.23%


    AVERAGE BALANCES ($ in thousands)

    Total assets                                                                                                                $3,373,476       3,199,270                                                        $3,352,984   3,196,920

    Loans                                                                                                          2,565,791      2,389,735                                          2,547,054        2,390,403

    Earning assets                                                                                                 3,064,959      2,901,770                                          3,046,867        2,906,251

    Deposits                                                                                                       2,805,905      2,667,649                                          2,790,648        2,668,311

    Interest-bearing liabilities                                                                                   2,296,225      2,180,746                                          2,299,835        2,195,524

    Shareholders' equity                                                                                             358,586        394,699                                            354,035          393,436


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

    (2)  Calculated by dividing annualized net income (loss) 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
                                                                                                                                        --------------------------

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


    Net interest income - tax-equivalent (1)                                                                                       $32,055          30,654                              30,476           30,805         30,007

    Taxable equivalent adjustment (1)                                                                                    517            459             423                                 419              402

    Net interest income                                                                                               31,538         30,195          30,053                              30,386           29,605

    Provision for loan losses - non-covered                                                                              489          1,621             636                                 267            1,001

    Provision (reversal) for loan losses - covered                                                                     (770)       (1,363)          (679)                            (1,681)           (160)

    Noninterest income                                                                                                 5,919          5,002           5,725                               3,506            5,004

    Noninterest expense                                                                                               26,147         24,773          25,503                              24,614           24,300

    Income before income taxes                                                                                        11,591         10,166          10,318                              10,692            9,468

    Income tax expense                                                                                                 3,952          3,329           3,521                               3,687            3,224

    Net income                                                                                                         7,639          6,837           6,797                               7,005            6,244

    Preferred stock dividends                                                                                           (59)          (58)           (37)                              (137)           (212)

    Net income available to common shareholders                                                                        7,580          6,779           6,760                               6,868            6,032


    Earnings per common share - basic                                                                                   0.38           0.34            0.34                                0.35             0.30

    Earnings per common share - diluted                                                                                 0.37           0.33            0.33                                0.34             0.30



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



                                                                   First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

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

                                                                                                                                                                       One
                                                                                                                                                                       Year
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                                              At June 30,                At March 31,            At Dec. 31,             At June 30,
                                                                                     2016                        2016                    2015                     2015            Change
    ($ in thousands - unaudited)


                                                     Assets

    Cash and due from banks                                                                     $58,956                  52,393                  53,285                    75,151               (21.5%)

    Interest bearing deposits with banks                                          189,547                     149,201                 213,983                  103,241                    83.6%
                                                                                  -------                     -------                 -------                  -------

         Total cash and cash equivalents                                          248,503                     201,594                 267,268                  178,392                    39.3%
                                                                                  -------                     -------                 -------                  -------


    Investment securities                                                         361,835                     395,625                 320,224                  379,695                   (4.7%)

    Presold mortgages                                                               4,104                       3,102                   4,323                    4,934                  (16.8%)


    Loans - non-covered                                                         2,519,747                   2,439,830               2,416,285                2,298,955                     9.6%

    Loans - covered by FDIC loss share agreements                                  78,387                      99,523                 102,641                  113,824                  (31.1%)
                                                                                   ------                      ------                 -------                  -------

         Total loans                                                            2,598,134                   2,539,353               2,518,926                2,412,779                     7.7%
                                                                                ---------                   ---------               ---------                ---------

    Allowance for loan losses - non-covered                                      (24,949)                   (25,249)               (26,784)                (30,155)                 (17.3%)

    Allowance for loan losses - covered                                           (1,074)                    (1,399)                (1,799)                 (1,935)                 (44.5%)
                                                                                   ------                      ------                  ------                   ------

         Total allowance for loan losses                                         (26,023)                   (26,648)               (28,583)                (32,090)                 (18.9%)
                                                                                  -------                     -------                 -------                  -------

         Net loans                                                              2,572,111                   2,512,705               2,490,343                2,380,689                     8.0%
                                                                                ---------                   ---------               ---------                ---------


    Premises and equipment                                                         76,991                      75,268                  74,559                   75,087                     2.5%

    FDIC indemnification asset                                                      5,157                       6,704                   8,439                   11,982                  (57.0%)

    Intangible assets                                                              77,153                      69,361                  67,171                   67,532                    14.2%

    Foreclosed real estate - non-covered                                           10,221                       8,767                   9,188                    9,954                     2.7%

    Foreclosed real estate - covered                                                  385                       1,569                     806                    1,945                  (80.2%)

    Bank-owned life insurance                                                      73,098                      72,594                  72,086                   56,175                    30.1%

    Other assets                                                                   36,988                      35,677                  47,658                   45,134                  (18.0%)
                                                                                   ------                      ------                  ------                   ------

         Total assets                                                                        $3,466,546               3,382,966               3,362,065                 3,211,519                  7.9%
                                                                                             ==========               =========               =========                 =========



                                                   Liabilities

    Deposits:

         Non-interest bearing checking accounts                                                $709,887                 679,228                 659,038                   614,619                 15.5%

         Interest bearing checking accounts                                       636,316                     607,617                 626,878                  553,918                    14.9%

         Money market accounts                                                    638,125                     665,291                 636,692                  576,360                    10.7%

         Savings accounts                                                         197,445                     194,573                 186,616                  184,786                     6.9%

         Brokered deposits                                                         95,242                      71,128                  76,412                   58,534                    62.7%

         Other time deposits > $100,000                                           319,267                     322,607                 329,819                  342,024                   (6.7%)

         Other time deposits                                                      275,738                     286,377                 295,830                  322,886                  (14.6%)
                                                                                  -------                     -------                 -------                  -------

              Total deposits                                                    2,872,020                   2,826,821               2,811,285                2,653,127                     8.3%


    Borrowings                                                                    206,394                     186,394                 186,394                  176,394                    17.0%

    Other liabilities                                                              26,518                      19,919                  22,196                   16,609                    59.7%
                                                                                   ------                      ------                  ------                   ------

         Total liabilities                                                      3,104,932                   3,033,134               3,019,875                2,846,130                     9.1%
                                                                                ---------                   ---------               ---------                ---------


                                              Shareholders' equity

    Preferred stock                                                                 7,287                       7,287                   7,287                   38,787                  (81.2%)

    Common stock                                                                  139,832                     135,318                 133,393                  133,061                     5.1%

    Retained earnings                                                             216,223                     210,250                 205,060                  194,600                    11.1%

    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                                 (1,728)                    (3,023)                (3,550)                 (1,059)                   63.2%
                                                                                   ------                      ------                  ------                   ------

         Total shareholders' equity                                               361,614                     349,832                 342,190                  365,389                   (1.0%)
                                                                                  -------                     -------                 -------                  -------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                               $3,466,546               3,382,966               3,362,065                 3,211,519                  7.9%
                                                                                             ==========               =========               =========                 =========





    n/m = not meaningful



                                                                                                                                      First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

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

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

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


    Yield on loans                                                                                                   4.83%       4.70%          4.69%                          4.83%          4.86%

    Yield on securities - tax-equivalent (1)                                                                         3.06%       3.26%          2.99%                          2.75%          2.80%

    Yield on other earning assets                                                                                    0.61%       0.54%          0.36%                          0.43%          0.50%

       Yield on all interest earning assets                                                                          4.45%       4.32%          4.29%                          4.38%          4.38%


    Rate on interest bearing deposits                                                                                0.25%       0.25%          0.24%                          0.24%          0.26%

    Rate on other interest bearing liabilities                                                                       1.20%       1.18%          1.05%                          1.09%          1.04%

       Rate on all interest bearing liabilities                                                                      0.32%       0.33%          0.31%                          0.31%          0.30%

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


            Net interest margin - tax-equivalent (2)                                                                 4.21%       4.07%          4.05%                          4.14%          4.15%

            Average prime rate                                                                                       3.50%       3.50%          3.29%                          3.25%          3.25%


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


    Interest income - increased by accretion of                                                                                 $1,676
            loan discount (1)
                                                                                                                                                                             1,055                      854                  1,205                1,135

         Impact on net interest income                                                                                          $1,676                                          1,055                      854                  1,205                1,135
                                                                                                                                ======                                          =====                      ===                  =====                =====


    (1)   Corresponding indemnification asset expense is recorded for approximately 80% of this amount, and therefore the net effect is that pretax
            income is positively impacted by 20% of the amounts in this line item.



                                                                                                                  First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

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


                                                                                                                                                 June 30,           March 31,          Dec. 31,           Sept. 30,            June 30,
                                                                                                                                                       2016                2016               2015                 2015                      2015
    ASSET QUALITY DATA ($ in thousands)



    Non-covered nonperforming assets
    --------------------------------

    Nonaccrual loans                                                                                                                                        $33,781             35,741             39,994               42,347                    44,123

    Troubled debt restructurings - accruing                                                                                                          25,826              27,055             28,011               29,250                    32,059

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

         Total non-covered nonperforming loans                                                                                                       59,607              62,796             68,005               71,597                    76,182

    Foreclosed real estate                                                                                                                           10,221               8,767              9,188                9,304                     9,954
                                                                                                                                                     ------               -----              -----                -----                     -----

    Total non-covered nonperforming assets                                                                                                                  $69,828             71,563             77,193               80,901                    86,136
                                                                                                                                                            =======             ======             ======               ======                    ======


    Covered nonperforming assets (1)
    -------------------------------

    Nonaccrual loans                                                                                                                                         $4,194              5,670              7,816                5,373                     7,378

    Troubled debt restructurings - accruing                                                                                                           3,445               3,459              3,478                3,825                     3,910

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

         Total covered nonperforming loans                                                                                                            7,639               9,129             11,294                9,198                    11,288

    Foreclosed real estate                                                                                                                              385               1,569                806                1,569                     1,945
                                                                                                                                                        ---               -----                ---                -----                     -----

    Total covered nonperforming assets                                                                                                                       $8,024             10,698             12,100               10,767                    13,233
                                                                                                                                                             ======             ======             ======               ======                    ======


         Total nonperforming assets                                                                                                                         $77,852             82,261             89,293               91,668                    99,369
                                                                                                                                                            =======             ======             ======               ======                    ======



    Asset Quality Ratios - All Assets
    ---------------------------------

    Net quarterly charge-offs to average loans - annualized                                                                                           0.05%              0.35%             0.23%               0.10%                    0.80%

    Nonperforming loans to total loans                                                                                                                2.59%              2.83%             3.15%               3.26%                    3.63%

    Nonperforming assets to total assets                                                                                                              2.25%              2.43%             2.66%               2.80%                    3.09%

    Allowance for loan losses to total loans                                                                                                          1.00%              1.05%             1.13%               1.21%                    1.33%


    Asset Quality Ratios - Based on Non-covered Assets only
    -------------------------------------------------------

    Net quarterly charge-offs to average non-covered loans - annualized                                                                               0.18%              0.52%             0.33%               0.38%                    0.81%

    Non-covered nonperforming loans to non-covered loans                                                                                              2.37%              2.57%             2.81%               3.01%                    3.31%

    Non-covered nonperforming assets to total non-covered assets                                                                                      2.06%              2.18%             2.37%               2.56%                    2.78%

    Allowance for loan losses (non-covered) to non-covered loans                                                                                      0.99%              1.03%             1.11%               1.19%                    1.31%


    (1)  Covered nonperforming assets consist of assets that are included in loss-share agreements with the FDIC.



                                                                                                    First Bancorp and Subsidiaries

                                                                                                      Financial Summary - Page 7
                                                                                                      ==========================

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

    NET INTEREST MARGIN, EXCLUDING
    LOAN DISCOUNT ACCRETION -
    RECONCILIATION

    ($ in thousands)                                                                                        June 30,                   March 31,                   Dec. 31,                  Sept. 30,                             June 30,
                                                                                                                  2016                                                   2015                        2015                                           2015
                                                                                                                                2016



    Net interest income, as reported                                                                                         $31,538                      30,195                      30,053                      30,386                                         29,605

    Tax-equivalent adjustment                                                                                      517                         459                         423                         419                                            402
                                                                                                                   ---                         ---                         ---                         ---                                            ---


    Net interest income, tax-equivalent (A)                                                                                  $32,055                      30,654                      30,476                      30,805                                         30,007
                                                                                                                             =======                      ======                      ======                      ======                                         ======

                                                                                                                          $3,064,959                   3,028,775                   2,982,356                   2,951,638                                      2,901,770

    Average earning assets (B)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ===

    Tax-equivalent net interest
         margin, annualized - as reported -  (A)/(B)
                                                                                                                 4.21%                      4.07%                      4.05%                      4.14%                                         4.15%
                                                                                                                  ====                        ====                        ====                        ====                                           ====


    Net interest income, tax-equivalent                                                                                      $32,055                      30,654                      30,476                      30,805                                         30,007

    Loan discount accretion                                                                                      1,676                       1,055                         854                       1,205                                          1,135
                                                                                                                 -----                       -----                         ---                       -----                                          -----

    Net interest income, tax-equivalent, excluding                                                                           $30,379                      29,599                      29,622                      29,600                                         28,872
         loan discount accretion (A)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ===

    Average earnings assets (B)                                                                                           $3,064,959                   3,028,775                   2,982,356                   2,951,638                                      2,901,770
                                                                                                                          ==========                   =========                   =========                   =========                                      =========

    Tax-equivalent net interest margin, excluding                                                                3.99%                      3.93%                      3.94%                      3.98%                                         3.99%
         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 two failed banks 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 June 30, 2016, the Company had a remaining loan discount balance of $12.4 million compared to $17.6 million at June 30, 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.

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SOURCE First Bancorp