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2024 Awards and Accolades 2024 Awards & Recognition – First Bank 2024 Best Employer – XL, Business NC Magazine 2024 Best Places to Work, Triad Business Journal Maggy Award – Best Financial Institution – Cary Branch, Cary Magazine 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Bank – Finalist – Dunn Branch, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Bank – Bronze – Lillington Branch, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Customer Service – Finalist – Lillington Branch, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank – Asheville North Branch, Best of WNC 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank – Asheville Downtown Branch, Mountain Xpress 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank – Asheville East Branch, Mountain Xpress 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank for Small Business – Asheville North Branch, Best of WNC 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank for Small Business – Asheville Downtown Branch, Best of WNC 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank for Small Business – Asheville East Branch, Best of WNC 2023 Greenwich Awards in Small Business, Greenwich Awards in Small Business 2024 Awards & Recognition – First Bank Associates Power List 2024 – Richard Moore, Business NC Magazine Power List 2024 – Mike Mayer, Business NC Magazine 2024 C Suite Awards – Adam Currie, Triad Business Journal Cornerstone Award – Hugh Bingham, United Way of Moore County Best Teller – Frances Rouse, The Dillon Herald Volunteer of the Year – Dawn Morton, Asheboro/Randolph County Chamber of Commerce 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Teller – Silver – Ann Lyles, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Teller – Bronze – Mireya Cantor, Dunn Daily Record 2 min read

First Bank partners with Habitat for Humanity to promote housing affordability There’s no place like home for the holidays. The benefits of homeownership reach far beyond the financial investment and earned equity. Owning a home means long-term security and stability for individuals, families, and economies to thrive. This holiday season, we’re reflecting on our Power of Good commitment to Housing Affordability and our partnership with Habitat for Humanity. “Greater tax generation, creation of jobs, opportunities for economic development, increased job retention and productivity, and the ability to address inequality — all are among the economic benefits of increased access to quality, affordable housing.” – Habitat for Humanity What does housing-affordability mean? While many factors impact what affordable means to each buyer, housing policymakers generally use the 30% rule that states no more than 30% of your income should be spent on housing. In areas where the average home prices and rental rates exceed the 30% rule for the average citizen’s income, housing is deemed unaffordable and residents are considered to be housing cost-burdened. Nationwide, U.S. Census Bureau data shows that 40% of renters meet the definition of cost-burdened. Additionally, an October 2023 report from Redfin suggests that homebuyers must now earn a $115,000 annual salary to afford the median-priced U.S. home – that’s up more than 50% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing affordability snapshot on the Carolinas As population growth continues to rise across North and South Carolina, it’s proving difficult to keep up with the increase in demand for housing. Many experts point to the combination of limited supply and growing demand for the sharp rise in housing costs. Cost-burdened households in North Carolina represent 45% of renters and 19% of homeowners while in South Carolina those numbers are 50% and 25% respectively. What are the impacts of cost-burdened households? Households that spend more than 30% of their budget on housing oftentimes experience a snowball effect on other areas of their budget. Many housing cost-burdened households experience food insecurity and are forced to make difficult decisions like choosing between paying a bill or seeking medical care. This also makes it difficult to save for emergencies in the future, and places more reliance on credit card spending. When these difficult circumstances at an individual level become compounded, the entire community’s wellbeing becomes marginalized. First Bank’s commitment to affordable housing As a First Bank client, you’ve made the decision to invest in your community. Our designation as a community bank means that we will always prioritize investing in the communities where we do business. Unlike banks who operate nationally or globally, First Bank is committed to the Carolinas. Banking with First Bank allows you to keep your hard-earned money within your community – where it can do the most good for your neighbors. Our First Bank Power of Good corporate citizenship program has made the following investments in affordable housing: 6 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

Branch Spotlight: Combining Finance, Community Building, and Line Dancing in Florence, SC No team in banking understands the nuances of line dancing and banking quite like our Florence-Main branch. Join them for line dancing on Friday mornings! In March of 2023, we expanded our South Carolina footprint with the purchase of GrandSouth bank, adding 8 branches to the First Bank family. Our Florence-Main branch, operated by Paul Seward, Area Executive, and newly promoted City Executive, Ashley Christenbury, kicks off every Friday morning with some good old fashioned line dancing. You might think that line dancing and banking don’t have anything in common, but our team at the Florence-Main branch is here to prove you wrong. The choreography, methodical steps, camaraderie, and community-building aspects of line dancing have direct parallels with banking – and with First Bank specifically. Much like the choreography needed for a group to do the “Biker Shuffle” in unison, the moving parts needed to operate one of the nation’s most successful banks must work together seamlessly. First Bank’s mission combines financial safety and soundness with community trust and confidence. Throughout our organization’s 87-year history, we have seen recessions, depressions, and many banks come and go. Because of our commitment to being safe and sound and serving our customers, we have been awarded as a Number 1 Best-in-State Bank by Forbes, as an Annual KBW Bank Honor Roll Award winner, and one of the Top 10 best-performing public banks in the nation by S&P Global, along with many other accolades. The energy and teambuilding atmosphere cultivated at a line dance is hard to beat. As everyone works together, each dancer contributes to creating something larger than themselves. As the group grows in size and complexity, the more impressive the dance becomes. Similarly, banks that work together with their neighbors foster mutual growth, lasting impact, and impressive communities. An actively involved local bank can provide their neighbors with increased access to small business loans, mortgages, charitable donations, and overall financial wellness. When asked about her favorite part of working at First Bank, Ashley said, “First Bank’s commitment to the local communities we serve across our footprint is incredible. First Bank makes it a priority to support various initiatives on a corporate level and we are expected and encouraged to be involved 3 min read

First Bank Celebrates Anne Stoneham During Women’s History Month Anne Stoneham serves as First Bank’s Senior Director of Human Resources, leading Compensation & Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Training & Talent Development, and Internal Communications. Although her path from college to the workforce was anything but linear, she has been fortunate enough to work in the business/banking industry for 39 years. In her senior year, Stoneham realized that she did not want to pursue a career in her major. Upon graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, she worked at a bank until figuring out what her next steps were. Before this, Anne never even considered banking or business as a career choice, but there she found her love for helping her customers and teammates find the right solutions. She found career direction about a year and a half later when she was offered a position in the training department. There she was able to utilize her strengths, helping her to excel in her field and setting her up for many years of future growth and success. Anne has been fortunate enough to have a number of smart, strong, and capable women in all facets of her life that have been role models, showing her how to be authentic to who she is and how to navigate an industry dominated by men. Having strong admiration for her aunt and grandmother, Stoneham stated, “They were such great examples of grace and strength. I learned a lot from just growing up around them.” Her mother was also a vast influence on her growing up. As a student graduating from high school at the age of 15, Anne’s mother was a model of perseverance for her, always encouraging her to go the extra mile. Professionally, Anne gives gratitude to two leaders in her life; one who thought strategically and sparked Stoneham’s interest in leadership and the other who showed her how to be a true advocate, valued her opinion, and taught her how to preserve in the workplace. Anne stated, “Role models are all around us if we are just willing to be open and take the gifts that each individual can give us, because you can learn something from everyone.” When thinking about her role as a woman in leadership, Anne thinks that the greatest 4 min read

First Bank Celebrates Elizabeth Bostian During Women’s History Month Beginning her career in a male-dominated industry, Elizabeth Bostian, First Bank’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has risen above gender stereotypes to pave a way for generations to come through her perseverance and high-standing achievements. With a major in English Studies and unable to define the purpose of an invoice, Bostian had much to learn about the industry she would soon enter. During college, Elizabeth worked alongside a business manager, where she quickly developed a passion for law. Following her obtainment of a law degree, Bostian spent 5 years at a law firm in Greensboro before she began working for First Bank. During her tenure at the bank, she has worked to develop her capabilities to the fullest by embracing unfamiliar territory in a safe space. “First Bank has allowed me to feel safe enough to say ‘I don’t know’ or to ask questions” stated Bostian. With a determined mindset and secure environment, Elizabeth’s ability to safely fail at times granted her the ability to grow in the most unexpected ways. As the third generation Elizabeth, Bostian always admired her mother and grandmother as they encouraged her to have a growth mindset and embrace the challenges ahead. Elizabeth noted the role her late grandmother played in her life by being a well-educated and traveled woman for her age as well as demonstrating the confidence and courage it takes to shape the life you aspire to have. Being raised by a single mother, Bostian was also aware of the obstacles faced by women and the deterrent effects of unconscious bias against those who wished to obtain a higher degree. Along with the equal expectations set in place for Elizabeth and her siblings, Bostian’s mother and grandmother built the foundation that drives her to advocate for gender equality. Throughout her professional life, Bostian emphasized the importance of every woman that has come before her. Influenced by the women around her, she gained the knowledge of how to navigate male-dominated industries and developed strong relationships with those who valued her abilities and provided wisdom on how to elevate them to make a difference. As a result of her mentorship and self-discovery in the banking industry, she aspires to encourage women of the younger generation 4 min read

First Bank Celebrates Twinkal Patel During Women’s History Month Twinkal Patel, First Bank’s Level III IT Specialist, wants to promote growth and education, inspiring others to achieve their goals. Twinkal was born and raised in India. Once she moved to the United States, she obtained her degree in Computer Science. Afterwards, she started her banking career as a manager in training and quickly became a branch manager. Her willingness to learn, along with the skills she has developed from her work experience have made her into the effective leader that she is today. She has had the opportunity to work in several different roles throughout her career, all of which contributed to her knowledge of banking and understanding of different departments. There is nothing she can think of that she hasn’t done, and to her that’s the beauty of working at a community bank. Twinkal stated, “Although with our merger we’re not truly titled a community bank, we are community minded. That’s the key! Being community minded is what we need to always think about and look forward to on a daily basis.” As she thought back to earlier years, she has known the most influential women in her life to be her mother and grandmother. “My mother taught me to be strong, independent, and confident,” stated Patel. For her, Twinkal’s grandmother was a great role model as her kindness, positivity, and compassion touched the lives of so many people. She is so blessed to have these two amazing women in her life, as they continue to motivate her and inspire her every single day. When asked how she views her role as a woman in leadership, Twinkal reflected and stated, “It is very important to empower your team members, regardless of their gender.” She believes that as a leader, we should be establishing an equal and positive work environment, so that each of our team members feel that they are an essential part of the team. Furthermore, we need to always remember that leaders are chosen to set a vision; they encourage and achieve goals as a team, and lead by example to earn the respect of their team members. Twinkal tells other women who want to take on more leadership roles that no dream is too big. 3 min read

First Bank Celebrates Donielle Bacon During Women’s History Month Donielle Bacon, First Bank’s Area Retail Manager, is driven to overcome the societal and cultural expectations set for an African American woman. Starting out in the hospitality industry, working many years as a wait staff trainer and bartender, Bacon was able to develop exceptional customer service and cross-selling skills, aiding her as she began her unexpected career path into the banking sector. Because the job roles she held were seasonal due to the venues, Bacon began searching for a side job, which led her to work as a part-time teller for a credit union in San Diego almost 20 years ago. Throughout her time as a teller, Bacon found a passion for assisting customers with their financial needs. Over the years, Bacon has led by example and managed teams full of individuals with various backgrounds. As a branch manager for First Bank, Bacon has exemplified true leadership and courage by stepping out of her comfort zone, into a new role and successfully learning how to balance the talents and strengths of the individuals on her team. Growing up, Bacon was particularly influenced by her mother both personally and professionally. “From a young age, she always tried to push me out of my comfort zone” stated Bacon. Her mother inspired her to dream large and live life to the fullest against all odds, instilling in her the importance of being independent and embracing the gender and racial differences that she represented, instead of allowing them to hold her back. When asked about her role as a woman in a leadership position, Bacon emphasized “I used to be offended by these kinds of questions.” As she viewed herself as equal, she preferred to be asked as an individual not as a woman. While still acknowledging that we are all equal, Bacon has learned to recognize and welcome the differences. Through her experiences, she has seen first-hand how a woman’s perspective and diversity within the workplace can benefit the morale and enhance performance. As her mother’s words encourage her daily to maximize the role she plays in her team’s career, Bacon has used her values and growth mindset to employ her team to their fullest extent, fostering an environment surrounded by support and 3 min read

Join Us: the 12 Days of Giving This holiday season, First Bank team members across the Carolinas are participating in the 12 Days of Giving. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference, and we’d love to invite you to join us. This handy list has some ideas to get you started. 1 min read

First Bank celebrated the Forbes nod with a marquee in Times Square

Forbes Names First Bank as Best-In-State Bank First Bank was named the best bank in North Carolina by Forbes.com. 2 min read

First Bank is One of the Top Banks in the U.S.A. When searching for the top banks in the U.S., it is often smarter to work with a small community bank over a national bank. Small banks often have deeper connections to the community and are invested in the success of individuals and businesses. First Bank* is a community bank that provides a wide range of banking services to people living in North Carolina and South Carolina. Make First Bank Your Top Choice Recent data shows that community banking institutions make up 94% of all banks in the United States. This is largely due to the fact that local banks continue to serve an important role for small businesses, agricultural lending and the nation’s overall economic sector. According to Forbes, “Small banks serve the economy well: they provide reasonably safe places for savings and are a source of essential finance for households and businesses.” Since opening our first branch in 1935, First Bank has had a longstanding commitment to providing the right solutions for financial success. Today, First Bank has grown into a progressive bank network that serves people throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. More than 80 years after opening, First Bank’s focus remains the same: to be the best community bank in every community we serve and through every delivery channel we offer. Our Core Values Becoming one of the top banks in the U.S. does not come without creating a distinct mission, vision and set of core values. At First Bank, the following core values are also what differentiate us in a competitive market: Be committed to safety and soundness. Provide accurate, prompt, courteous service. Make it easy for our associates to deliver the best value to our clients, and easy for our clients to do business with us whenever, wherever, and however they choose. Help our clients and associates build and achieve goals. Our Services First Bank offers a wide variety of banking services, including: Personal checking and savings accounts Personal loans and credit Business checking and savings accounts Business loans and credit Mortgages Digital banking Find a First Bank Near You With over 100 locations across NC and SC finding a First Bank near you is simple. Visit our Location Finder and type in your city and state or zip code. Or, 3 min read

Banks Near Me When you are trying to find banks near you, there are many options. With so many choices, it can be hard to be sure you’re choosing the right bank for you. At First Bank, we care about the needs of our customers. That is why our banking options are designed to meet the unique needs of our customers. First Bank’s first branch opened in Troy, North Carolina, where we were known for helping local businesses and farmers manage their finances throughout the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Today, we’re still known for our community values, and we serve businesses, families, and customers in North Carolina and South Carolina. There’s a First Bank Near You Chances are if you’re in one of the states we service, there’s a First Bank near you. And it offers a range of services from personal banking to wealth management. Some services we offer include: Personal checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit cards with benefits* Personal loans and lines of credit* Business checking accounts, savings accounts, debit cards, and group banking Business loans and credit cards* Merchant services like payment processing, reconciliation and reporting, and check collection Treasury services, such as payroll direct deposit and deposit services Wealth management services* Insurance for individuals and businesses We want to make the needs of our customers are met. Whether you need a savings account, a business loan, or auto insurance. We strive to be a bank near you that is worth more to you. The Best Banks Nearby Visit our website to discover more about First Bank. Our team of banking experts are ready to answer any questions you have about First Bank and the services we offer. *Investment and Insurance Products are NOT Bank Deposits, NOT FDIC-Insured, HAVE NO Bank Guarantee, NOT Insured by any Federal Government Agency, May Go Down in Value. Loans subject to credit approval. See our Terms and Conditions for complete details on our MasterCard® programs. ©2013 MasterCard. MasterCard, Debit MasterCard and the MasterCard brand marks are trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. ——— Sources: Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/homeequityloan.asp Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/lineofcredit.asp Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/reconciliation.asp 2 min read

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