Insider Trading February 3, 2026

First Bancorp Insider Sale: Retired Director Capel Disposes $152,567 in Shares

Mary Clara Capel sold 2,642 shares; company also reported stronger-than-expected results, dividend and analyst upgrades

By Marcus Reed FBNC
First Bancorp Insider Sale: Retired Director Capel Disposes $152,567 in Shares
FBNC

Retired First Bancorp director Mary Clara Capel sold 2,642 shares of the bank's common stock on January 30, 2026, for $57.747 per share, a transaction totaling $152,567. The sale, reported on an SEC Form 4, left Capel with direct ownership of 25,399.6201 shares. Separately, First Bancorp posted earnings above expectations, benefited from a reserve release tied to Hurricane Helene, announced a quarterly dividend and received price-target increases and rating changes from analysts.

Key Points

  • Retired director Mary Clara Capel sold 2,642 First Bancorp shares on January 30, 2026, at $57.747 per share for $152,567, and now directly owns 25,399.6201 shares.
  • First Bancorp reported earnings above expectations, helped by stronger fees, healthy credit trends and a reserve release related to Hurricane Helene; the company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share.
  • Analysts moved more positive on the stock after the quarter: Raymond James raised its price target to $68.00 and kept a Strong Buy rating; Piper Sandler upgraded the stock to Overweight and increased its target to $58.00.

Summary

Mary Clara Capel, a retired member of First Bancorp's board, sold 2,642 shares of the company's common stock on January 30, 2026, at $57.747 per share, according to a Form 4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The transaction amounted to $152,567. After the sale Capel directly holds 25,399.6201 shares of First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FBNC).


Insider transaction details

The sale was disclosed in a formal filing with the SEC. The filing specifies the number of shares sold, the per-share price and the aggregate value of the trade. The seller is identified as a retired director of the company and the Form 4 captures her post-transaction ownership stake.


Recent corporate and financial developments

First Bancorp reported quarterly results that outpaced expectations, a performance described in the company's disclosures as being supported by stronger fee income and healthy credit trends. The company also recognized a reserve release associated with Hurricane Helene, which contributed to a lighter loss provision for the quarter.

Following the earnings report, Raymond James raised its price target on First Bancorp to $68.00 and maintained a Strong Buy rating. Piper Sandler upgraded the stock from Neutral to Overweight, citing robust third-quarter results, balance sheet growth and a materially higher net interest margin; that firm also raised its price target to $58.00.

First Bancorp announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share, payable on January 25, 2026, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2025.


Governance note

In governance updates, Mary Clara Capel - identified in company materials as a long-serving director - retired from the board. Her departure marks the end of nearly 70 years of service by the Capel family to the institution, as described in the company's disclosures.


Key takeaways

  • Retired director Mary Clara Capel sold 2,642 First Bancorp shares on January 30, 2026, for $57.747 each, totaling $152,567, and now directly owns 25,399.6201 shares.
  • First Bancorp's quarter exceeded expectations, aided by stronger fees, favorable credit trends and a reserve release tied to Hurricane Helene; the company announced a $0.23 quarterly dividend.
  • Analysts responded to the results with more favorable ratings and higher price targets - Raymond James to $68.00 with a Strong Buy stance, and Piper Sandler upgrading to Overweight and raising its target to $58.00.

Contextual limitations

The SEC Form 4 provides the transactional specifics but does not include additional commentary from the seller on motivations for the sale. The company's financial disclosures describe drivers of the reported quarter, including a reserve release tied to Hurricane Helene, but do not attribute outcomes beyond those stated in the filing.


Disclosure

No disclosures were provided within the article text.

Risks

  • The Form 4 filing records the sale but does not explain the seller's motives, leaving uncertainty about whether the transaction reflects personal liquidity needs rather than views on the company's prospects - impacts investor sentiment in the banking sector.
  • Reserve releases tied to a specific event (Hurricane Helene) contributed to a lighter loss provision for the quarter; dependence on such releases can introduce variability in future credit expense reporting for financial institutions.
  • Analyst ratings and price targets changed following the quarter, but such revisions may be adjusted again with future quarterly results, adding near-term earnings and valuation uncertainty for equity investors.

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