SOUTHERN PINES — First Bank is expanding its presence in the Piedmont region of North Carolina as the bank completes the conversion of the former Carolina Bank branches into First Bank locations the weekend of Aug. 4 to Aug. 7. First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FBNC), the parent company of First Bank, closed on the acquisition of Carolina Bank in March.

When the transition is complete today, First Bank adds seven branches with locations in Greensboro, Burlington, Winston-Salem, High Point and Asheboro. All Carolina Bank customer accounts and ATMs will also be converted to First Bank.

“We’re excited to have this opportunity to expand our presence in the Triad,” said Richard Moore, CEO of First Bancorp. “We have taken every possible step to make this transition as smooth and seamless as possible for both employees and customers, and we are glad to welcome them all to the First Bank family.”

Following the conversion, First Bank, the largest community bank based in North Carolina, will go from 18th in market share in the Triad to having the fourth largest market share in the region. First Bank will employ approximately 160 people throughout the region.

“Both First Bank and Carolina Bank have a strong history of giving back to the communities they serve, and we are committed to continuing that legacy while also looking for new ways to make a positive impact across the Triad,” said Adam Currie, regional president for First Bank’s Piedmont Region, which includes the Triad and Charlotte.

First Bank will operate 11 branches and three mortgage loan offices in the Triad region; in total, the bank has 89 branches across North Carolina. Later this year, First Bank is expected to close on its acquisition of Asheville Savings Bank, adding 13 branches in the western part of the state.

To learn more about First Bank, you can visit https://localfirstbank.com.