CEO of First Bancorp‑Southern Pines Sells 488 Restricted Shares in Routine Tax Move, Market Climbs 3.45% This Week

Insider Selling Signals: Gregory Curri‑Eric’s Restricted Stock Move

On January 5, 2026, Chief Executive Officer Gregory Curri‑Eric sold 488 restricted shares of First Bancorp‑Southern Pines at $51.96 apiece, trimming his stake from roughly 30,700 to 20,700 shares. The sale coincided with a 3.45 % weekly rally and a 28.27 % year‑to‑date gain, suggesting the market was already on an upward trajectory. While the transaction price matched the prevailing market level, the volume—just 0.9 % of his holding—indicates a routine tax‑withholding move rather than a fire‑sale.

What Investors Should Read Between the Lines

The timing of the sale aligns with a pattern of modest liquidity events that have marked Curri‑Eric’s tenure. His last major buy in June 2025 added 7,717 shares at $42.12, and a prior sell of 1,183 restricted shares occurred just days earlier on June 20. These moves are consistent with a “dividends‑like” cash‑flow strategy that allows him to satisfy tax obligations without signaling a loss of confidence in the company. Moreover, the restricted‑stock nature of the sale—shares held for a vesting period—means the transaction is likely driven by the company’s internal tax structure rather than any impending strategic shift.

Implications for First Bancorp’s Future Trajectory

First Bancorp’s fundamentals remain robust: a market cap of $2.17 billion, a price‑earnings ratio of 21.32, and a 52‑week high of $56.45 suggest healthy investor sentiment. The CEO’s limited divestitures, combined with the steady increase in share price, reinforce the view that management is not under pressure to liquidate holdings. For investors, the key takeaway is that the company is in a growth phase, with its top executives maintaining substantial long‑term positions and only modest, routine sales to cover taxes or personal liquidity needs.

Profiling Gregory Curri‑Eric: A Long‑Term Stakeholder

Curri‑Eric’s trading history paints a picture of a CEO who balances liquidity needs with a long‑term commitment. His June 2025 purchases and subsequent sales demonstrate a disciplined approach: buying shares at lower intraday prices ($40.57–$42.12) and selling when the market has appreciated modestly ($51.96). The consistent use of restricted stock in sales suggests an internal mechanism to manage tax exposure. Compared to peers—such as CFO Bostian Elizabeth B, who sold 396 shares in January and has maintained a larger overall holding—the CEO’s activity is comparatively conservative, underscoring a focus on stability rather than speculation.

Bottom Line for Investors and Market Analysts

Curri‑Eric’s restricted‑stock sale on January 5 should not be viewed as a red flag. Instead, it reflects routine tax‑withholding within a broader context of steady share‑price growth and a CEO who keeps a meaningful equity stake. As First Bancorp continues to expand its banking services in North Carolina, the current insider activity signals confidence and a long‑term investment horizon—factors that are likely to resonate positively with long‑term investors seeking steady returns from a financially sound regional bank.