# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000811589
**File Stem:** 0000811589-23-000003
**Filing Date:** 2023-1
**Character Count:** 12930
**Document Hash:** af0cd64ae7d75e9d8ca01d7a760a712e
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0000811589-23-000003.hdr.sgml**: 20230104

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0000811589-23-000003

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 13

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20230103

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230104

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230103

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** FIRST BANCORP /NC/
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000811589
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 561421916
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** NC
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 000-15572
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23503801

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 300 SW BROAD STREET
- **CITY:** SOUTHERN PINES
- **STATE:** NC
- **ZIP:** 28387
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 910-246-2500

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 300 SW BROAD STREET
- **CITY:** SOUTHERN PINES
- **STATE:** NC
- **ZIP:** 28387

?xml version="1.0" ? fbnc-20230103

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

**Form 8-K** 

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): | **January 3, 2023** |

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**First Bancorp** 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| North Carolina | 0-15572 | 56-1421916 |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction | (Commission | (I.R.S. Employer |
| of Incorporation) | File Number) | Identification Number) |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| 300 SW Broad Street, | | |
| Southern Pines, | NC | 28387 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |

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(910) 246-2500

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

<u>Title of each class</u> <u>Trading symbol</u> <u>Name of each exchange on which registered:</u> <br> Common Stock, No Par Value FBNC The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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First Bancorp

**INDEX**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| | **Page** |
| Item 2.01 - Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets | 3 |
| Item 5.02 - Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers | 3 |
| Item 9.01 – Financial Statements and Exhibits | 3 |
| Signatures | 4 |
| <u>[Exhibit 99.1 News Release dated January 3, 2023](exhibit991newsreleasedated.htm)</u> | 5 |

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**Item 2.01 – Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets**

First Bancorp, the holding company for First Bank, Southern Pines, North Carolina, announced today that effective as of January 1, 2023, First Bancorp completed its acquisition by merger of GrandSouth Bancorporation ("GrandSouth"), the holding company for GrandSouth Bank, Greenville, South Carolina (the "Merger"). GrandSouth merged with and into First Bancorp, with First Bancorp as the surviving corporation. The Merger was completed pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated June 21, 2022 (the "Merger Agreement").

First Bancorp's press release, dated January 3, 2023, is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

**Item 5.02 – Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers**

Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization between First Bancorp and GrandSouth, dated June 21, 2022 (the "Merger Agreement"), First Bancorp agreed to appoint two directors of GrandSouth to the boards of directors of First Bancorp and First Bank. Accordingly, Mason Y. Garrett, the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GrandSouth, and J. Randolph Potter were appointed to the boards of directors of First Bancorp and First Bank, effective January 1, 2023. They have also been appointed to serve as members of First Bancorp's Executive and Loan Committee, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Both boards have been expanded to 17 members.

Other than their appointment pursuant to the Merger Agreement, there have been no transactions, nor are there any currently proposed transactions, in which First Bancorp has or is to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which Mr. Garrett or Mr. Potter had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

**Item 9.01 – Financial Statements and Exhibits**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| <u>Exhibit No.</u> | <u>Description</u> |
| 99.1 | <u>[Press release dated January 3, 2023, announcing the completion of the acquisition of GrandSouth Bancorporation](exhibit991newsreleasedated.htm)</u> |

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**SIGNATURES**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | | **FIRST BANCORP** |
| January 3, 2023 | <br>By: | <br>/s/ Richard H. Moore |
|  |  | Richard H. Moore |
|  |  | Chief Executive Officer |

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## Exhibit 99.1

**FIRST BANCORP**

**News Release**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| For Immediate Release:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | Inquiries: |
| January 3, 2023 | Hillary Kestler, PR Director |
| | 704.644.4137 |
| | hkestler@localfirstbank.com |

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

**FIRST BANCORP COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF GRANDSOUTH BANCORPORATION**

**Southern Pines, NC, January 3, 2023** – First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FBNC) announced today the completion of its acquisition of GrandSouth Bancorporation ("GrandSouth"), the parent company of GrandSouth Bank, on January 1, 2023. The merger solidifies First Bank's position as one of the leading banks headquartered in the Carolinas, with total assets of approximately $12 billion and 118 branches.

Mike Mayer, President and CEO of First Bank, stated, "We are very pleased that our merger with GrandSouth Bank is now official. We welcome our new customers, associates, and shareholders to First Bank. GrandSouth Bank customers can expect to continue to receive the same high level of service to which they are accustomed. Additionally, GrandSouth Bank branches will continue to operate under their current name until a systems conversion of customer accounts, which is scheduled for March 2023, and GrandSouth Bank customers should continue to conduct their business with their current GrandSouth Bank branches until that time. We will be in touch with customers in advance of the conversion to ensure a smooth transition." Mr. Mayer continued, "We also welcome Mason Garrett and Randy Potter to our Board of Directors and look forward to working together for our shareholders."

JB Schwiers, President & CEO of GrandSouth Bank, stated, "We are very pleased with the merger with First Bank. The community model valued at both institutions is something our customers are accustomed to and enjoy. While we are working toward a smooth conversion we want to thank our customers and team members for their loyalty over the years. We have been warmly welcomed by the First Bank team members, and we expect a smooth integration for employees and customers alike. I would like also to thank GrandSouth shareholders and customers for the loyal support they have shown over the years and for what I expect will be many more years to come."

Under the terms of the merger agreement, GrandSouth shareholders will receive 0.91 shares of First Bancorp common stock for each share of GrandSouth common and preferred stock. Any fractional shares resulting from the exchange will be paid cash at a rate of $38.98 per share. Shareholders of GrandSouth who own their shares of stock in book entry form or hold their shares with brokers will have their shares automatically converted to shares of First Bancorp, with no action required. Shareholders who hold stock certificates of GrandSouth will be mailed instructions in the near future for converting their shares of GrandSouth to First Bancorp stock.

Also, under the merger agreement, GrandSouth's subsidiary bank, GrandSouth Bank, has merged with and into First Bancorp's subsidiary bank, First Bank. First Bank will continue to operate the eight branches of GrandSouth Bank under the GrandSouth Bank name until a systems conversion planned for mid-March 2023.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. served as financial advisor to First Bancorp and Brooks, Pierce, McLendon,

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Humphrey & Leonard, LLP provided legal counsel. Piper Sandler & Co. served as financial advisor to GrandSouth and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP served as legal counsel.

#####

**About us:**

First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 118 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

**FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS** 

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 words or phrases 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 this press release by wire services, internet services or other media.

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