<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001174947-17-000300.txt : 20170303
<SEC-HEADER>0001174947-17-000300.hdr.sgml : 20170303
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20170303171913
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001174947-17-000300
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20170303
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other Events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20170303
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20170303

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:		17665247

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		341 NORTH MAIN ST
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 508
		CITY:			TROY
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27371-0508
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9105766171
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form8k-17239_fbnc.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>
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<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Washington, D.C. 20549 </FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 1.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 1.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0"><B>CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE<BR>
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0">Date of Report (Date of
earliest event reported): March 3, 2017</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>First Bancorp</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its
Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">North Carolina</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 35%; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><U>0-15572</U></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><U>&nbsp;56-1421916</U></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(State or Other Jurisdiction of</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Commission File Number)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(IRS Employer</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;Incorporation)</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Identification Number)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">300 SW Broad Street,</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: underline; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><U>Southern Pines, NC 28387</U></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: underline; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><U>28387</U></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Address of Principal Executive Offices) </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Zip Code)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.25in; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><U>(910) 246-2500</U></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">(Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including
area code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0"><U>Not applicable</U><BR>
(Former Name or Former Address, if changed since last report)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: justify; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0">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:</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">x</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Written communications pursuant to Rule
425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">o</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">o</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Pre-commencement communications pursuant
to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">o</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Pre-commencement communications pursuant
to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>


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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><B>Item 8.01 Other Events.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in"><FONT STYLE="color: #222222">First
Bancorp </FONT>announced today the completion of its previously announced merger with&nbsp;Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. (&ldquo;Carolina
Bank&rdquo;). The complete text of the news release is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><B>Additional Information About the Carolina
Bank Acquisition and Where to Find It</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in">First Bancorp has filed
relevant documents concerning the Carolina Bank acquisition with the SEC, including a registration statement on Form S-4 which
includes a proxy statement/prospectus. Shareholders of Carolina Bank can obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus,
as well as other filings by First Bancorp, at the SEC&rsquo;s internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus
and the filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without
charge, by directing a request to: First Bancorp, 300 SW Broad Street, Southern Pines, NC, Attention: Investor Relations.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in">SHAREHOLDERS OF CAROLINA
BANK ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC REGARDING THE TRANSACTION,
BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 1in"><B>Item 9.01</B></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.75in; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 54pt"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 31.5pt">(d)</TD><TD>Exhibits</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.75in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 54pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 100pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 0">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><B>Exhibit No.</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><B>Description </B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">99.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Press release dated March 3, 2017 announcing the Closing of the Merger with Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc.</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in">Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>FIRST BANCORP</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2in">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-decoration: none">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify; text-decoration: none">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: none; text-align: justify">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: none; text-align: justify; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">/s/ Richard H. Moore</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-decoration: none">
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: none">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: none">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: none">Richard H. Moore</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-decoration: none">
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: none">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: none">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: none">Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Date: March 3, 2017</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>


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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 18%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><B>Exhibit No.</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 82%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><B>Description </B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">99.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Press release dated March 3, 2017 announcing the Closing of the Merger with Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>


<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

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<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>ex99-1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-99.1
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><IMG SRC="image_001.jpg" ALT="FB_Logo_NoMark_Bancorp_Red" STYLE="height: 22px; width: 284px"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>News Release</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">For Immediate Release:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-align: right"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">For More Information,</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">March 3, 2017</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: right"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">Contact:&nbsp;&nbsp;Elaine Pozarycki</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: right"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">919-834-3090</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">First Bancorp Completes Acquisition</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">of Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.3in"><B>Southern Pines, NC, March 3, 2017</B> &ndash;
First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FBNC) announced today the completion of its previously announced merger with Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc.
(NASDAQ: CLBH) (&ldquo;Carolina Bank Holdings&rdquo;).</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.3in">Under the terms of the merger agreement, for
each share of Carolina Bank Holdings common stock, shareholders have the right, subject to certain limitations, to receive either
$20.00 in cash or 1.002 shares of First Bancorp common stock. Per the merger agreement, 25% of the consideration will be paid in
cash and the balance of 75% will be in newly issued shares of First Bancorp common stock. The mailing of materials regarding the
election and exchange of Carolina Bank Holdings stock certificates will commence next week.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.3in">Also under the merger agreement, Carolina Bank
Holdings&rsquo; subsidiary bank, Carolina Bank, has merged with First Bank, a North Carolina bank and the wholly-owned banking
subsidiary of First Bancorp. First Bancorp plans to complete systems integration in August.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">###</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>About First Bancorp</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.25in">First Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered
in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $4.3 billion. Its principal activity is the ownership and
operation of First Bank, a state-chartered community bank that operates 96 branches in North Carolina and South Carolina. First
Bank also has loan production offices in Greensboro, North Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina. First Bank also provides SBA loans
to customers through its nationwide network of lenders &ndash; for more information on First Bank&rsquo;s SBA lending capabilities,
please visit www.firstbanksba.com. First Bancorp&rsquo;s common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol
&ldquo;FBNC.&rdquo;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.25in">Please visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 157.5pt; text-indent: 0.25in"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.25in">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 &ldquo;expect,&rdquo;
&ldquo;believe,&rdquo; &ldquo;estimate,&rdquo; &ldquo;plan,&rdquo; &ldquo;project,&rdquo; &ldquo;anticipate,&rdquo; 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&rsquo;s
customers, the Company&rsquo;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 &ldquo;Risk Factors&rdquo; section of the Company&rsquo;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.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAROLINA BANK HOLDINGS, INC.
ACQUISITION AND WHERE TO FIND IT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">First Bancorp has filed relevant documents concerning the Carolina
Bank Holdings acquisition with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &ldquo;SEC&rdquo;), including a registration statement
on Form S-4 which contains a joint proxy statement/prospectus. Shareholders of Carolina Bank Holdings can obtain a free copy of
the proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings by First Bancorp, at the SEC&rsquo;s internet site (http://www.sec.gov).
Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus
can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to First Bancorp, 300 SW Broad Street, Southern Pines, NC, Attention:
Investor Relations.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">SHAREHOLDERS OF CAROLINA BANK HOLDINGS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC REGARDING THE TRANSACTION, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRANSACTION.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>



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