The First 80 Years of First Bank

As we close 2015, we take a look back at the first 80 wonderful years in First Bank’s history, from 1935 when we opened as the Bank of Montgomery in Troy, North Carolina to our expansion across three states.

Along the way, we’ve had the privilege of serving our local communities and neighbors. We certainly couldn’t have done it without you, and we can’t wait to see what the future brings!

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Goombays Grille & Raw Bar Joins First Bank We’re proud to welcome Kill Devil Hills landmark restaurant Goombays Grille & Raw Bar to First Bank. Goombays has been an island hot spot since 1992 and recently changed ownership in March 2023. The vibrant chartreuse and aqua building matches the excitement that Goombays new owners, Tony Sipe and Chris Miller, have for their Kill Devil Hills, NC establishment. First Bank SBA Business Development Officer, Chase Zabriskie, was instrumental in securing the funding that Tony and Chris needed to purchase Goombays from its original owners. Commitment and diligence from everyone involved resulted in a custom SBA financing solution that fit Tony and Chris’s unique needs as first-time business owners. “Chase was so invested in our success that we started to think of him as one of our partners. Chris and I have already referred other friends to First Bank and their SBA program, and we will continue to do so. First Bank and Chase will be the first phone call we make when we are ready for our next project.” – Tony Sipe, Goombays Grille & Raw Bar Co-owner “Quite a few hurdles were jumped along the way. I became not only their trusted banker but a friend who was there to encourage them to keep trying even when it seemed like there was no longer a way forward. Using both our SBA 7a and 504 products, we were able to piece together a creative financing structure that fit the needs of both our borrowers and the sellers. We closed in March 2023 and I was right there with them at the closing table.” – Chase Zabriskie, First Bank SBA Business Development Officer The Goombays Grille & Raw Bar menu is a crowd-pleasing assortment of seafood, shareable appetizers, and menu staples like burgers, sandwiches, and salads. There’s something for everyone and all ages are welcome. Even their cocktail menu is inclusive — all Goombays bartenders are trained on how to transform their island inspired cocktails into non-alcoholic mocktails. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Goombays to First Bank! As a result of our ability to secure their business financing, Tony and Chris chose First Bank to also be their primary banking partner. They utilize our SBA 7a and 504 products along with multiple Business Elite Accounts, and Business Credit Cards. We’re proud to offer custom financing solutions to help our neighbors pursue their goals and dreams. For anyone considering an SBA loan, get in touch with our First Bank team of SBA Experts. Navigating SBA programs can be difficult if you’re unfamiliar with the programs. Chase offers the following advice: Identify Your Goals: Take time to share as much information as possible about what goals you are looking to achieve through SBA financing. Consult With An Expert: Your First Bank SBA expert can guide you through the process and make recommendations for how best to go about structuring your financing. Start Early: Getting ahead of the game on any potential SBA hurdles is the key to keeping the process smooth and efficient. Having an early conversation and choosing the right lender can be the difference in how quickly you get to the closing table. To celebrate our First Bank partnership, the Goombays team sent us this Blueberry Mai Tai mocktail recipe. Cheers! 4 min read

2023 Awards and Accolades: Best Employer, Top Performing Bank, Top Civic-Minded Organization Your Award Winning Bank Awards naming First Bank as a Best Employer, Best Performing Bank, and Top Civic Minded Organization are just a few of the many accolades we earned in 2023. We are so grateful for all of our associates, customers, and community partners who inspire us to be the best. 2023 Awards & Recognition – First Bank Business NC Magazine – Best Employer – Number One Extra Large Employer (300 Employees+) S&P Global – Top 10 Best Performing Public Banks KBW 2023 Annual Bank Honor Roll – 14 Banks, Representing Just 4% of Eligible Firms, Earn Spots on Elite List Activate Good – Civic 50 – Top 50 Civic-minded Organizations Greater Columbia Business Monthly, Greenville Business Magazine, Charleston Business Magazine – SC Best in Business – Large Company of the Year Best of Asheville – Best Bank – Gold Best of WNC – Best Bank and Best Bank for Small Business Triangle Business Journal – Corporate Philanthropy Award Lake Norman Media Group – Normy Award Washington Daily News – Runner Up, Best of Pamlico Best Bank/Credit Union 2023 Awards & Recognition – First Bank Associates Business NC Magazine – Power List, Richard Moore Business NC Magazine – Power List, Mike Mayer Triad Business Journal – 40 Under 40 – Nathan Lang Auto Remarketing – 40 Under 40 – Brandon Webb The Pilot – Best Financial Planner – 2nd Place Audra Lubawski Washington Daily News – Runner Up, Best Banker, Bridget Jefferson 2 min read

Crafting a Future: Part One We have been reading a lot about profitable DIY-ers—those who turned hobbies into successful thriving companies. So we set out to answer this question: could small-scale makers have big impact? 4 min read

North Carolina Industries and Their Economic Impact [INFOGRAPHIC] We're excited to bring you the first in a series of three exploratory infographics on the key industries in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, and their respective impact on their state's economies. 1 min read

The First 80 Years of First Bank

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