First Bancorp announces cash dividend

The board of directors for First Bancorp, the parent company of First Bank, has declared a cash dividend of $0.08 per share payable Oct. 23 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 30.

The $0.08 per share dividend rate is the same as the rate declared in the second quarter of 2009 and is a decrease from the $0.19 per share rate declared in the third quarter of 2008.

First Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Troy, N.C., with assets of about $3.5 billion. Its principal activity is the ownership and operation of First Bank, a state-chartered community bank that now operates 98 branches, including 10 in South Carolina located in Florence, Cheraw, Dillon, Latta, Jefferson, Myrtle Beach and Little River. Its Web site is http://www.FirstBancorp.com.