First Bank: how it compares with its peers
Against 158 U.S. banks with half to twice its assets, First Bank's strongest measure in Q2 2026 is efficiency ratio (48.12% vs. a 55.14% peer median). Its weakest relative measure is assets per employee ($9.3M vs. $10.2M).
| Measure | First Bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | 1.56% | 1.29% | Top third Ahead of 71% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 3.82% | 3.64% | Middle third Ahead of 59% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 48.12% | 55.14% | Top third Ahead of 72% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $9.3M | $10.2M | Middle third Ahead of 39% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 79.95% | 87.00% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 48.12% is better than the 55.14% peer median. Banks that already run lean usually find their next gains in loan growth: faster digital applications and fewer borrowers abandoning a slow document chase.
Banks closest in size
- BancFirst Oklahoma City, OK · $12.80B
- Dollar Bank, Federal Savings Bank Pittsburgh, PA · $12.70B
- PlainsCapital Bank University Park, TX · $12.68B
- The Park National Bank Newark, OH · $12.61B
- NBH Bank Greenwood Village, CO · $12.54B
- Happen Bank, National Association Lehi, UT · $12.48B
Questions about First Bank
How big is First Bank?
First Bank, established in 1934, is headquartered in Southern Pines, NC. It reported $13.03B in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 116 offices.
What is First Bank's return on assets?
1.56% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.29% median for 158 U.S. banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 71% of them.
What is First Bank's efficiency ratio?
48.12% in Q2 2026: it spent about 48 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 55.14%, and lower is better.
Is First Bank growing its loans?
Net loans grew 9.4% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits grew 2.3%.
Sources and method
Figures are from the FDIC’s public call report data for the quarter ending 06/30/2026, via FDIC BankFind. Return on assets and net interest margin are annualized year to date. Peers are U.S. banks with half to twice its assets in the same quarter, excluding this bank. The page refreshes daily, so new quarters appear as banks file. Compare another bank or see every North Carolina bank ranked.