UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                            -------------------------


                                    FORM 10-Q


                QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         For the quarterly period ended
                               September 30, 1997


                         Commission File Number 0-15572


                                  FIRST BANCORP
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


           North Carolina                                 56-1421916
   (State or Other Jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
   Incorporation or Organization)                      Identification Number)


     341 North Main Street, Troy, North Carolina           27371-0508
      (Address of Principal Executive Offices)             (Zip Code)

 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)        (910) 576-6171


     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934 during the  preceding  twelve  months (or for such shorter  period that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                 [ X ] YES [   ] NO

     As of  September  30, 1997,  3,016,370  shares of the  registrant's  Common
Stock, $5 par value,  were  outstanding.  The registrant had no other classes of
securities outstanding.

     Transitional Small Business Format     [   ]   YES         [ X ]   NO

EXHIBIT INDEX BEGINS ON PAGE 18

                                      INDEX
                         FIRST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                      Page
                                                                      ----

Part I.  Financial Information

Item 1 - Financial Statements

   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS -
   September 30, 1997  and 1996
   (With Comparative Amounts at December 31, 1996)                      3

   STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME -
   For the Periods Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996                    4

   STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS -
   For the Periods Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996                    5

   STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY -
   For the Periods Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996                    6

   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                           7

 Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated
             Results of Operations and Financial Condition              8



 Part II.  Other Information

 Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                             15

 Signatures                                                            17

 Exhibit Cross Reference Index                                         18




FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997          Page 2 of 19

Part I.  Financial Information
Item 1 - Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                    FIRST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                              Sep 30,        Dec 31,        Sep 30,
($ in thousands--unaudited)                                     1997           1996           1996
                                                            ---------       --------       --------
                                                                                  
ASSETS
Cash & due from banks, noninterest bearing ............     $  14,643         15,882         14,134
Due from banks, interest bearing ......................            27           --             --
Federal funds sold ....................................         3,090          5,025           --
                                                            ---------       --------       --------
   Total cash and cash equivalents ....................        17,760         20,907         14,134
                                                            ---------       --------       --------

Securities available for sale (approximate costs of
   $52,922, $53,721, and $56,454) .....................        53,193         53,942         56,303

Securities held-to-maturity (approximate fair values of
   $21,376, $22,717, $20,807) .........................        20,814         22,323         20,433

Presold mortgages in process of settlement ............         1,258          1,395            936

Loans, net of unearned income .........................       260,699        223,032        219,732
  Less:  Allowance for possible loan losses ...........        (4,728)        (4,726)        (4,734)
                                                            ---------       --------       --------
  Net loans ...........................................       255,971        218,306        214,998
                                                            ---------       --------       --------

Premises and equipment, net ...........................         8,457          7,722          7,687
Accrued interest receivable ...........................         2,744          2,412          2,439
Intangible assets .....................................         5,192          5,834          5,976
Other .................................................         2,694          2,609          2,878
                                                            ---------       --------       --------
Total assets ..........................................     $ 368,083        335,450        325,784
                                                            =========        =======        =======


LIABILITIES
Deposits:  Demand .....................................     $  46,836         45,002         43,595
           Savings, NOW and money market ..............       124,349        107,605        103,924
           Time deposits of $100,000 of more ..........        35,484         33,526         30,732
           Other time deposits ........................       120,781        111,728        111,144
                                                            ---------       --------       --------
           Total deposits .............................       327,450        297,861        289,395

Accrued interest on deposits ..........................         2,047          1,882          1,756
Other .................................................         2,859          2,475          2,429
                                                            ---------       --------       --------
Total liabilities .....................................       332,356        302,218        293,580
                                                            ---------       --------       --------




                                    FIRST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                             (continued)


                                                              Sep 30,        Dec 31,        Sep 30,
($ in thousands--unaudited)                                     1997           1996           1996
                                                            ---------       --------       --------
                                                                                  
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $5 par value per share
    Authorized: 12,500,000 shares
    Issued and outstanding: 3,016,370,
       3,016,370, and 3,014,170 .......................        15,082         15,082         15,071
Capital surplus .......................................         3,831          3,831          3,819
Retained earnings .....................................        16,629         14,173         13,414
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities
    available for sale, net of income taxes ...........           185            146           (100)
                                                            ---------       --------       --------
Total shareholders' equity ............................        35,727         33,232         32,204
                                                            ---------       --------       --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ............     $ 368,083        335,450        325,784
                                                            =========        =======        =======


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997          Page 3 of 19

Statements of Consolidated Income


                                       FIRST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                      STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME


                                                    Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended
   ($ in thousands except                             September 30,                   September 30,
per share data--unaudited)                         1997             1996           1997             1996
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------

                                                                                     
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans ...............     $     6,279            5,278          17,502           15,658
Interest on investment securities:
     Taxable interest income .............             919              865           2,774            2,216
     Exempt from income taxes ............             283              283             902              825
Other, principally federal funds sold ....              63              108             336              434
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------
     Total interest income ...............           7,544            6,534          21,514           19,133
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------

INTEREST EXPENSE
Time deposits of $100,000 or more ........             499              456           1,437            1,321
Other time and savings deposits ..........           2,336            2,016           6,601            6,065
Federal funds purchased ..................            --               --                 3             --
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------
     Total interest expense ..............           2,835            2,472           8,041            7,386
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------

NET INTEREST INCOME ......................           4,709            4,062          13,473           11,747
Provision for possible loan losses .......             125               75             325              225
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION
     FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES ............           4,584            3,987          13,148           11,522
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------

OTHER INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts ......             627              654           1,854            1,910
Commissions from insurance sales .........              69               85             218              280
Other charges, commissions and fees ......             178              206             596              656
Data processing fees .....................              74               64             216              180
Securities gains (losses) ................             (12)               6             (12)               6
Other nonrecurring net gains - branch sale            --                211            --                211
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------    
     Total other income ..................             936            1,226           2,872            3,243
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------




                                       FIRST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                      STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME


                                                    Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended
   ($ in thousands except                             September 30,                   September 30,
per share data--unaudited)                         1997             1996           1997             1996
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------

                                                                                     
OTHER EXPENSES
Salaries .................................           1,568            1,370           4,606            4,047
Employee benefits ........................             317              326           1,021              974
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------
     Total personnel expense .............           1,885            1,696           5,627            5,021
Net occupancy expense ....................             247              218             715              692
Equipment related expenses ...............             223              214             652              630
Other ....................................           1,246            1,251           3,598            3,478
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------
     Total other expenses ................           3,601            3,379          10,592            9,821
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ...............           1,919            1,834           5,428            4,944
Income taxes .............................             651              626           1,795            1,688
                                               -----------      -----------     -----------      -----------
NET INCOME ...............................     $     1,268            1,208           3,633            3,256
                                               ===========     ============     ===========      ===========

WEIGHTED AVERAGE
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING ................       3,016,370        3,014,170       3,016,370        3,014,170
                                               ===========     ============     ===========      ===========

PER SHARE AMOUNTS
Net income ...............................     $      0.42             0.40            1.20             1.08
Cash dividends declared ..................            0.13             0.11            0.39             0.33


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997          Page 4 of 19

Statements Of Consolidated Cash Flows


                                       FIRST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                   STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

                                                                                       Nine Months Ended
                                                                                          September 30,
($ in thousands--naudited)                                                             1997          1996
                                                                                    ---------      --------
                                                                                             
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
     Net income ................................................................     $  3,633         3,256
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to
       net cash provided by operating activities:
         Provision for loans losses ............................................          325           225
         Net security premium amortization/discount accretion ..................           (8)          (12)
         Loan fees and costs deferred, net of amortization .....................           25             1
         Depreciation of premises and equipment ................................          532           552
         Amortization of intangible assets .....................................          406           425
         Realized and unrealized other real estate losses ......................           16            49
         Provision for deferred income taxes ...................................          (13)          272
         Loss (gain) on sale of securities .....................................           12            (6)
         Net gain from sale of branch facilities, loans and deposits ...........         --            (211)
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
         Increase in accrued interest receivable ...............................         (332)          (67)
         Decrease (increase) in intangible assets ..............................          236           (96)
         Decrease in other assets ..............................................          119         1,067
         Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable .......................          165          (133)
         Increase in other liabilities .........................................          324           510
                                                                                    ---------      --------
     Net cash provided by operating activities .................................        5,440         5,832
                                                                                    ---------      --------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
     Purchase of securities available for sale .................................      (28,754)      (37,011)
     Purchase of securities held-to-maturity ...................................       (1,222)       (2,375)
     Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale .......................        8,361         1,146
     Proceeds from maturities/issuer calls of securities available for sale ....       21,209        28,673
     Proceeds from maturities/issuer calls of securities held-to-maturity ......        2,710         1,740
     Net increase in loans .....................................................      (38,097)      (10,028)
     Net purchases of premises and equipment ...................................       (1,267)         (426)
     Net cash paid in sale of deposits .........................................         --          (1,722)
                                                                                    ---------      --------
     Net cash used in investing activities .....................................      (37,060)      (20,003)
                                                                                    ---------      --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
     Net increase in deposits ..................................................       29,589         5,224
     Cash dividends paid .......................................................       (1,116)         (935)
                                                                                    ---------      --------
     Net cash provided by financing activities .................................       28,473         4,289
                                                                                    ---------      --------

DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ..........................................       (3,147)       (9,882)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD .................................       20,907        24,016
                                                                                    ---------      --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD .......................................     $ 17,760        14,134
                                                                                    =========      ========




                                       FIRST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                   STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

                                                                                       Nine Months Ended
                                                                                          September 30,
($ in thousands--unaudited)                                                           1997           1996
                                                                                    ---------      --------

                                                                                             
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for:
     Interest ..................................................................     $  7,876         7,519
     Income taxes ..............................................................        1,700         1,338
Non-cash transactions:
     Foreclosed loans transferred to other real estate .........................           82           359
     Loans to facilitate the sale of other real estate .........................           17            93
     Increase (decrease) in market value of securities available for sale ......           50          (506)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.






FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997          Page 5 of 19

 Statements Of Changes In Consolidated Shareholders' Equity


                                            FIRST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY



                                                                                              Unrealized
                                                                                             Gain/(Loss)
                                                                                             on Available      Share
(In thousands                                                     Capital      Retained       for Sale       holders'
 --unaudited)                         Shares       Amount         Surplus      Earnings    Securities, net    Equity
                                      ------       ------         -------      --------    ---------------    ------
                                                                                            
Balances, December 31, 1996 .         3,016       $ 15,082          3,831        14,173           146         33,232

Net income ..................                                                     3,633                        3,633
Cash dividends declared .....                                                    (1,177)                      (1,177)
Net adjustment for securities
   available for sale .......                                                                      39             39
                                      -----       --------          -----        ------           ---         ------
Balances, September 30, 1997          3,016       $ 15,082          3,831        16,629           185         35,727
                                      =====       ========          =====        ======           ===         ======



Balances, December 31, 1995 .         3,014       $ 15,071          3,819        11,152           235         30,277

Net income ..................                                                     3,256                        3,256
Cash dividends declared .....                                                      (994)                        (994)
Net adjustment for securities
   available for sale .......                                                                    (335)          (335)
                                      -----       --------          -----        ------          ----         ------
Balances, September 30, 1996          3,014       $ 15,071          3,819        13,414          (100)        32,204
                                      =====       ========          =====        ======           ===         ======



 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997          Page 6 of 19


                         FIRST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
                For the Periods Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996


NOTE 1
In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial
statements  contain  all  adjustments   (consisting  of  only  normal  recurring
accruals) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the
Company  as of  September  30,  1997 and 1996 and the  consolidated  results  of
operations,  consolidated cash flows, and changes in consolidated  stockholders'
equity for the periods ended  September 30, 1997 and 1996.  Reference is made to
the notes to consolidated  financial  statements for the year ended December 31,
1996 filed with the Annual  Report on Form 10-KSB for a discussion of accounting
policies  and  other  relevant   information   with  respect  to  the  financial
statements.

NOTE 2
The results of operations for the periods ended  September 30, 1997 and 1996 are
not  necessarily  indicative  of the results to be  expected  for the full year.
Earnings per share were computed by dividing net income by the weighted  average
common shares outstanding. Common stock equivalents resulting from the Company's
stock option plan were not considered in the earnings per share  computation due
to immateriality.

NOTE 3
Certain  amounts  reported in the periods ended  December 31, 1996 and September
30, 1996 have been  reclassified to conform with the  presentation for September
30, 1997. These  reclassifications  had no effect on net income or shareholders'
equity for the  periods  presented,  nor did they  materially  impact  trends in
financial  information.  
 
NOTE 4
Based  on  management's  evaluation  of the  loan  portfolio,  current  economic
conditions  and other risk factors,  the  Company's  allowance for possible loan
losses was  $4,728,000  as of  September  30, 1997  compared to  $4,726,000  and
$4,734,000 as of December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1996,  respectively.  These
reserve levels represented 1.81%, 2.12% and 2.15% of total loans as of September
30, 1997, December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1996, respectively.  Nonperforming
assets are defined as nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 or more days and still
accruing  interest,  restructured  loans and  foreclosed,  repossessed and idled
properties. For each of the periods presented, the Company had no loans past due
90 or more days and still accruing interest. Nonperforming assets are summarized
as follows:



                                                        September 30,     December 31,   September 30,
         ($ in thousands)                                   1997             1996             1996
                                                           ------          -------          -------
                                                                                   
Nonperforming loans:
  Nonaccrual loans ..............................          $1,148            1,836            1,322
  Restructured loans ............................             291              350              354
                                                           ------          -------          -------
Total nonperforming loans .......................           1,439            2,186            1,676

Foreclosed, repossessed and idled
  properties (included in other assets) .........             404              572              611
                                                           ------          -------          -------
Total nonperforming assets ......................          $1,843            2,758            2,287
                                                           ======            =====            =====

Nonperforming loans as a percentage
  of total loans ................................            0.55%            0.98%            0.76%
Allowance for possible loans losses as a
  percentage of nonperforming loans .............          328.56%          216.19%          282.46%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of loans and
   foreclosed, repossessed and idled properties .            0.71%            1.23%            1.04%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total
  assets ........................................            0.50%            0.82%            0.70%


NOTE 5
Loans are shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets net of approximately  $10,000
of unearned income for each of the periods presented.





FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997          Page 7 of 19

Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated
         Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

      Net income for the quarter  ended  September  30, 1997  increased  5.0% to
$1,268,000,  or $0.42 per share, compared to $1,208,000, or $0.40 per share, for
the third  quarter of 1996.  The  earnings  increase was achieved as a result of
higher net interest  income  resulting from a higher loan volume and a wider net
interest  margin.  The higher net interest income was largely offset by a higher
provision  for loan losses,  less  noninterest  income,  and higher  noninterest
expense.  Net income and noninterest  income for the quarter ended September 30,
1996 was significantly  affected by nonrecurring  gains on the sale of the loans
and deposits of one branch  office  reduced by a loss from the sale of a vacated
building of $128,000 ($211,000 pretax), or $0.04 per share.

      For substantially  the same reasons,  net income for the nine months ended
September  30,  1997  increased  11.6% to  $3,633,000  or $1.20 per share,  from
$3,256,000, or $1.08 cents per share, for the same period in 1996.

      Net interest income is the largest component of earnings, representing the
difference  between  interest and fees  generated  from  earning  assets and the
interest  costs of deposits and other funds needed to support those assets.  Net
interest  income  increased  by $647,000,  or 15.9%,  when  comparing  the third
quarter of 1997 with the third quarter of 1996,  primarily  because of growth in
loan volume, as well as an increase in the  tax-equivalent  net interest margin.
At  September  30,  1997,  loans  had  increased  18.6%  to  $260,699,000   from
$219,732,000 at September 30, 1996.  Additionally,  the Company's tax-equivalent
net  interest  margin  increased  to 5.84% from 5.66%  when  comparing  the same
quarters.  For substantially the same reasons,  net interest income for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 increased by $1,726,000,  or 14.7%,  compared to
the same period in 1996.  The  tax-equivalent  net interest  margin for the nine
months ended  September  30, 1997 was 5.78% versus 5.54% for the same nine month
period in 1996.

      The Company  currently  has  approximately  $71  million  more in interest
bearing liabilities that are subject to possible interest rate adjustment within
one year  than  interest  earning  assets  that are  subject  to  interest  rate
adjustments  within one year.  Therefore,  a future  increase in market interest
rates could have a negative impact on net interest income if the  rate-sensitive
liabilities  reprice  at  the  same  or  greater  rate  than  the  repricing  of
rate-sensitive  earning  assets.  Generally,  the  Company's  goal is to  manage
portfolio  mixes to  minimize  changes in net  interest  income due to  changing
rates. The portfolio mix of assets and liabilities is  substantially  similar to
that at December 31, 1996.

      The provision  for possible  loan losses for the third  quarter  increased
$50,000, or 67%, to $125,000 from $75,000 for the third quarter of 1996. For the
nine months ended  September  30,  1997,  provisions  for  possible  loan losses
increased by  $100,000,  or 44.4%,  when  compared to the same period of 1996 to
$325,000.  The  increases in the  provisions  for both  periods were  considered
prudent in light of the  significant  loan growth  experienced  by the  Company.
Provisions for possible loan losses are based on management's  evaluation of the
loan portfolio, as discussed under "Summary of Loan Loss Experience" below.

      Noninterest income decreased $290,000,  or 23.7%, for the third quarter of
1997.  The  decrease is  primarily  attributable  to  nonrecurring  net gains of
$211,000  realized  in the third  quarter of 1996 from the sale of the loans and
deposits of one branch office and from the sale of a vacated building. Excluding
the nonrecurring  gains realized in 1996,  noninterest income decreased $79,000,
or 7.8%,  from the same quarter in 1996. This decrease  reflects  slightly lower
volumes of  activity  in several fee  generating  services.  For the nine months
ended September 30, 1997,  noninterest income decreased $371,000,  or 11.4%, for
substantially  the same  reasons  previously  discussed.  Data  processing  fees
totaled  $74,000  and  $216,000  for the  three  and nine  month  periods  ended
September 30, 1997, respectively.  The Company has been notified that because of
a  bank  acquisition,   the  external  bank  customer  representing  these  data
processing  fees will be terminating its contract with the Company in the fourth
quarter of 1997.  The  Company  expects to receive an early  termination  fee of
approximately $168,000 during the same quarter because of the termination of the
contract,  but in future  periods this source of income will not be available to
the  Company.  Management  expects the impact of this  contract  termination  on
future earnings to be largely offset by the absence of related expenses incurred
in servicing the customer.

      Noninterest  overhead  expenses  increased by $222,000,  or 6.6%,  for the
third  quarter of 1997  primarily  because of expenses  associated  with opening
branch offices in Seagrove,  Lillington,  and Sanford since the third quarter of
last year.  Personnel expenses increased  $189,000,  or 11.1%. For






FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997          Page 8 of 19

substantially  the same  reason,  noninterest  expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 increased  $771,000,  or 7.9%, compared to the same period of
1996.

      Income taxes  increased  $25,000,  or 4.0%, for the third quarter of 1997,
while the  effective  tax rate was  approximately  34% for both  quarters  ended
September  30, 1997 and 1996.  Income taxes for the nine months ended  September
30, 1997  increased  $107,000,  or 6.3%,  resulting in an effective  tax rate of
33.1%  compared to 34.1% for the same nine month  period of 1996.  The  slightly
lower  effective  tax rate is  attributable  to a higher  level of  holdings  of
tax-exempt securities over the comparable periods.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

     The  Company's  total assets were $368.1  million at September 30, 1997, an
increase of $42.3 million,  or 13.0%, from September 30, 1996.  Interest-earning
assets  increased by 13.9%  compared to September 30, 1996.  Loans,  the primary
interest-earning  asset,  increased by 18.6%  during this same period.  Deposits
increased $38.1 million,  or 13.1% to support the asset growth. The increases in
deposits were primarily as a result of growth in the categories of savings,  NOW
and money market deposits.  The Company's cost of funds has remained  relatively
low  compared to that of its  competitors.  The Company does not rely heavily on
large   deposits  of  $100,000  or  more  to  fund  asset  growth  and  has  not
traditionally engaged in obtaining deposits through brokers.  Since December 31,
1996, the Company has experienced  increases of 11.0%, 9.7%, and 9.9% in earning
assets, total assets and deposits, respectively.

NONPERFORMING ASSETS

    Nonperforming  assets are defined as nonaccrual loans,  loans past due 90 or
more days and  still  accruing  interest,  restructured  loans  and  foreclosed,
repossessed and idled properties. For each of the periods presented, the Company
had no loans past due 90 or more days and still accruing interest. Nonperforming
assets are summarized as follows:


                                                        September 30,     December 31,    September 30,
                                                            1997              1996            1996
                                                          -------           ------           ------      
                                                                                    

Nonperforming loans:
  Nonaccrual loans ..............................          $1,148            1,836            1,322
  Restructured loans ............................             291              350              354
                                                          -------           ------           ------      
Total nonperforming loans .......................           1,439            2,186            1,676

Foreclosed, repossessed and idled
  properties (included in other assets) .........             404              572              611
                                                          -------           ------           ------      

Total nonperforming assets ......................          $1,843            2,758            2,287
                                                          =======           ======           ======
Impaired loans under SFAS 114 ...................          $  512            1,228              840
                                                          =======           ======           ======

Nonperforming loans as a percentage
  of total loans ................................            0.55%            0.98%            0.76%
Allowance for possible loans losses as a
  percentage of nonperforming loans .............          328.56%          216.19%          282.46%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of loans and
   foreclosed, repossessed and idled properties .            0.71%            1.23%            1.04%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total
  assets ........................................            0.50%            0.82%            0.70%



    Management  has  reviewed  the  collateral  for  the  nonperforming  assets,
including  nonaccrual  loans,  and has  included  this review  among the factors
considered in the evaluation of the allowance for possible loan losses discussed
below.

    A loan is placed on nonaccrual  status when, in management's  judgment,  the
collection of interest appears doubtful.  While a loan is on nonaccrual  status,
the Company's  policy is that all cash  receipts are applied to principal.  Once
the recorded  principal  balance has been reduced to zero,  future cash receipts
are applied to recoveries of any amounts  previously  charged off.  Further cash
receipts  are  recorded as interest  income to the extent that any  interest has
been foregone.  The accrual of interest is discontinued on all loans that become
90 days past due with respect to principal  or  interest.  In some cases,  where





FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997          Page 9 of 19

borrowers are experiencing financial difficulties,  loans may be restructured to
provide terms significantly  different from the originally  contracted terms. If
the nonaccrual  loans and  restructured  loans as of September 30, 1997 and 1996
had  been  current  in  accordance  with  their  original  terms  and  had  been
outstanding   throughout  the  nine  month  periods  (or  since  origination  or
acquisition if held for part of the nine month  periods),  gross interest income
in the amounts of  approximately  $79,000 and $97,000 for  nonaccrual  loans and
$21,000 and $48,000 for restructured loans would have been recorded for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  Interest income on such
loans that was actually  collected and included in net income in the nine months
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 amounted to approximately $31,000 and $18,000,
respectively,  for  nonaccrual  loans and $16,000  each period for  restructured
loans.

    Nonperforming  loans are defined as nonaccrual  loans,  loans past due 90 or
more days and  restructured  loans. As of September 30, 1997,  December 31, 1996
and September 30, 1996, nonperforming loans were approximately 0.55%, 0.98%, and
0.76%,  respectively,  of the total loans outstanding at such dates.  Nonaccrual
loans as of September 30, 1997 decreased  $174,000,  or 13.2%, to  approximately
$1,148,000  compared  to  September  30,  1996 and are  lower  by  approximately
$688,000,  or  37.5%,  since  year-end.  The  decrease  in  nonaccrual  loans at
September 30, 1997 as compared to December 31, 1996 is primarily attributable to
the  resolution  of  several  larger  relationships  that  resulted  in  partial
charge-offs during the period, as well as generally  improving loan quality.  As
of September  30, 1997,  the borrower  with the largest  nonaccrual  loan owed a
balance of $194,000 while the average  nonaccrual loan balance was approximately
$30,000.

    The FASB has issued SFAS No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of
a Loan," which requires that all creditors value all specifically reviewed loans
for which it is probable that the creditor will be unable to collect all amounts
due  according  to the  terms  of the loan  agreement  at the  present  value of
expected cash flows,  market price of the loan,  if  available,  or value of the
underlying collateral.  Expected cash flows are required to be discounted at the
loan's effective interest rate.
 
    The FASB  also has  issued  SFAS  No.  118,  "Accounting  by  Creditors  for
Impairment of a Loan - Income Recognition and Disclosures," that amends Standard
No. 114 to allow a creditor to use  existing  methods for  recognizing  interest
income on an impaired loan and by requiring  additional  disclosures about how a
creditor recognizes interest income related to impaired loans.

    SFAS  No.'s  114 and 118 do not  apply to large  groups  of  smaller-balance
homogenous  loans  that  are  collectively  evaluated  for  impairment.  For the
Company,  these loans  include  residential  mortgage and  consumer  installment
loans.

    Consistent  with SFAS No.  114,  management  considers  loans to be impaired
when, based on current  information and events,  it is probable the Company will
be unable to collect all amounts due according to the  contractual  terms of the
loan agreement. Impaired loans are measured using either the discounted expected
cash flows or the value of collateral  method.  While a loan is considered to be
impaired,  the  Company's  policy  is that  all cash  receipts  are  applied  to
principal.  Once the recorded principal balance has been reduced to zero, future
cash receipts are applied to recoveries of any amounts  previously  charged off.
Further cash  receipts  are  recorded as interest  income to the extent that any
interest has been foregone.

    At  September  30,  1997,  December 31,  1996,  and  September  30, 1996 the
recorded  investment in loans that are  considered to be impaired under SFAS No.
114 was $512,000, $1,228,000, and $840,000, respectively, all of which were on a
nonaccrual  basis.  The decrease in the level of impaired loans at September 30,
1997 as compared to December 31, 1996 is due to the same reasons as the decrease
in nonaccrual loans over the same period discussed above. The related  allowance
for loan losses for these impaired  loans as determined in accordance  with SFAS
No.  114 was  $107,000,  $184,000,  and  $126,000,  respectively.  There were no
impaired loans for which there was no related allowance determined in accordance
with the statement.  The average  recorded  investments in impaired loans during
the nine month period ended  September  30,  1997,  the year ended  December 31,
1996, and the nine months ended September 30, 1996 were approximately  $718,000,
$859,000,  and  $846,000,  respectively.  For  the  same  periods,  the  Company
recognized  interest income on those loans prior to the determination  that they
were impaired of  approximately  $11,000,  $83,000,  and $62,000,  respectively,
using the accrual basis of accounting.  The amount of interest income recognized
on a cash basis for these loans  subsequent to being  classified as impaired was
immaterial.

     In addition to the nonperforming  loan amounts discussed above,  management
believes  that an estimated  $1,000,000-$1,500,000  of loans that are  currently
performing in accordance with their  contractual  terms may potentially  develop
problems depending upon the particular financial situations of 





FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997         Page 10 of 19

the borrowers and economic conditions in general. These loans were considered in
determining the appropriate level of the allowance for possible loan losses. See
"Summary  of Loan  Loss  Experience"  below.  Loans  classified  for  regulatory
purposes as loss, doubtful,  substandard,  or special mention that have not been
disclosed  in the problem  loan  amounts  above do not  represent or result from
trends or  uncertainties  which  management  reasonably  expects will materially
impact future operating results,  liquidity,  or capital resources, or represent
material credits about which management is aware of any information which causes
management to have serious  doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply
with the loan repayment terms.

      As of September 30, 1997,  the Company owned  foreclosed  and  repossessed
assets totaling approximately  $404,000,  which consisted principally of several
parcels of foreclosed real estate. The Company's  management has reviewed recent
appraisals of these  properties and has concluded  that their fair values,  less
estimated costs to sell,  exceed their  respective  carrying values at September
30, 1997.

SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE

      The  allowance  for possible  loan losses is created by direct  charges to
operations.  Losses on loans are charged  against the allowance in the period in
which such loans, in management's opinion, become uncollectible.
Recoveries during the period are credited to this allowance.

      The factors that influence management's judgment in determining the amount
charged to operating  expense include past loan loss experience,  composition of
the loan portfolio,  evaluation of possible  future losses and current  economic
conditions.
 
      The Company's bank  subsidiary uses a loan analysis and grading program to
facilitate its evaluation of possible future loan losses and the adequacy of its
allowance  for  possible  loan  losses,  otherwise  referred to as its loan loss
reserve.  In this program,  a "watch list" is prepared and monitored  monthly by
management and is tested quarterly by the bank's Internal Audit Department.  The
list  includes  loans that  management  identifies  as having  potential  credit
weaknesses in addition to loans past due 90 days or more,  nonaccrual  loans and
remaining unpaid loans identified during previous examinations.

    Based  on  management's  evaluation  of  the  loan  portfolio  and  economic
conditions,  a provision  for possible  loan losses of $125,000 was added to the
allowance  for  possible  loan losses  during the third  quarter of 1997,  which
brought the year-to-date provision to $325,000. The quarterly provision for loan
losses made during 1997 was greater than the $75,000  provision  made during the
corresponding  period of 1996 principally because of the significant loan growth
experienced by the Company. The year-to-date  provision for possible loan losses
increased  $100,000,  or 44.4%, for  substantially the same reason. At September
30, 1997, the allowance stood at $4,728,000,  compared to $4,726,000 at December
31, 1996 and  $4,734,000  at September  30, 1996.  At  September  30, 1997,  the
allowance for possible loan losses was approximately 329% of total nonperforming
loans,  compared to  corresponding  percentages of 216% at December 31, 1996 and
282% at September 30, 1996.

      The allowance for possible loan losses was 1.81%, 2.12% and 2.15% of total
loans as of  September  30,  1997,  December  31, 1996 and  September  30, 1996,
respectively.  Management  believes  the  reserve  levels are  adequate to cover
possible loan losses on the loans outstanding as of each reporting date. It must
be  emphasized,  however,  that  the  determination  of the  reserve  using  the
Company's  procedures and methods rests upon various  judgments and  assumptions
about future economic conditions and other factors affecting loans. No assurance
can be given that the Company  will not in any  particular  period  sustain loan
losses that are sizable in relation to the amounts  reserved or that  subsequent
evaluations  of the loan  portfolio,  in light of  conditions  and factors  then
prevailing,  will not require  significant changes in the allowance for possible
loan losses or future  charges to  earnings.  In  addition,  various  regulatory
agencies, as an integral part of their examination process,  periodically review
the  Company's  allowances  for  possible  loan  losses and losses on other real
estate.  Such  agencies  may require the Company to  recognize  additions to the
allowances based on their judgments about  information  available at the time of
such examinations.





FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997         Page 11 of 19

For the periods indicated, the following table summarizes the Company's balances
of loans  outstanding,  average  loans  outstanding,  changes  in the  allowance
arising  from  charge-offs  and  recoveries  by category,  and  additions to the
allowance that have been charged to expense.


                                                      Nine Months              Year              Nine Months
                                                         Ended                 Ended                Ended
                                                        Sept 30,              Dec 31,             Sept 30,
($ in thousands)                                          1997                 1996                 1996
                                                       ---------              -------              ------- 
                                                                                            
Loans outstanding at period end .............          $ 260,699              223,032              219,732
                                                       =========              =======              =======
Average loans outstanding during period .....            237,485              217,900              216,512
                                                       =========              =======              =======

Allowance for possible loan losses at
   beginning of period ......................          $   4,726                4,587                4,587

Loans charged off:
   Commercial, financial and agricultural ...                (25)                (209)                 (71)
   Real estate - mortgage ...................               (336)                (196)                (156)
   Installment loans to individuals .........               (230)                (311)                (204)
                                                       ---------              -------              ------- 
     Total charge-offs ......................               (591)                (716)                (431)
                                                       ---------              -------              ------- 

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
   Commercial, financial and agricultural ...                 81                  114                   75
   Real estate - mortgage ...................                 21                  127                  125
   Installment loans to individuals .........                117                  113                   90
   Other ....................................                 49                  176                   63
                                                       ---------              -------              ------- 
     Total recoveries .......................                268                  530                  353
                                                       ---------              -------              ------- 

Net charge-offs .............................               (323)                (186)                 (78)

Additions to the allowance charged to expense                325                  325                  225
                                                       ---------              -------              ------- 
Allowance for possible loan losses at
   end of period ............................          $   4,728                4,726                4,734
                                                       =========              =======              =======

Ratios:
   Annualized net charge-offs to average
     loans during period ....................               0.18%                0.09%                0.05%
   Annualized net charge-offs to loans
     at end of period .......................               0.17%                0.08%                0.05%
   Allowance for possible loan losses to
     average loans during the period ........               1.99%                2.17%                2.19%
   Allowance for possible loan losses to
     loans at end of period .................               1.81%                2.12%                2.15%
   Annualized net charge-offs to allowance
     for possible loan losses ...............               9.11%                3.94%                2.20%
   Net charge-offs to provision for loan
     losses .................................              99.38%               57.23%               46.22%


      Based on the  results of the  aforementioned  loan  analysis  and  grading
program and management's evaluation of the allowance for possible loan losses at
September 30, 1997, there have been no material changes to the allocation of the
allowance for possible  loan losses among the various  categories of loans since
December 31, 1996.

LIQUIDITY

      The Company's  liquidity is determined by its ability to convert assets to
cash or acquire  alternative sources of funds to meet the needs of its customers
who are withdrawing or borrowing funds, and to maintain required reserve levels,
pay expenses and operate the Company on an ongoing basis. The Company's  primary
liquidity  sources  are net income  from  operations,  cash and due from  banks,
federal 





FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997         Page 12 of 19

funds sold and other short-term  investments.  In addition, the Company (through
its bank subsidiary) has the ability, on a short-term basis, to purchase federal
funds from other financial  institutions.  The Company has not traditionally had
to rely on the purchase of federal funds as a source of  liquidity.  The Company
has  increased  its loan to deposit  ratio to a level more typical of the Bank's
North  Carolina  peer group.  The  Company's  management  believes its liquidity
sources are at an  acceptable  level and remain  adequate to meet its  operating
needs.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

      The Company is  required by its own  policies  and by  applicable  federal
regulations to maintain  certain capital  levels.  The Company's ratio of stated
capital to total  assets  exceeded  9.5% as of  September  30, 1997 and 1996 and
December 31, 1996.  In an effort to achieve a  measurement  of capital  adequacy
that is sensitive to the individual risk profiles of financial institutions, the
various financial  institution  regulators have minimum capital  guidelines that
categorize various components of capital and types of assets and measure capital
adequacy in  relation to the  financial  institution's  relative  level of those
capital components and the level of risk associated with various types of assets
of that financial institution.  The guidelines call for minimum adjusted capital
of 8% of  risk-adjusted  assets.  As of September 30, 1997, the Company's  total
risk-based capital ratio was 12.88%.

      In addition to the risk-based  capital  requirements  described above, the
Company is subject to a leverage capital requirement,  which calls for a minimum
ratio of leverage capital,  as defined in the regulations,  to quarterly average
total assets of 3-5%. As of September 30, 1997, the Company's  leverage  capital
ratio was 8.50%.

      The Company is not aware of any recommendations of regulatory  authorities
or otherwise which, if they were to be implemented, would have a material effect
on its liquidity, capital resources, or operations.

      As of September 30, 1997,  December 31, 1996 and  September 30, 1996,  the
Company was in compliance with all existing regulatory capital requirements,  as
summarized in the following table:



                                                                 Sept 30,          Dec 31,         Sept 30,
($ in thousands)                                                   1997             1996             1996
                                                              ------------      ------------    ------------
                                                                                       
Tier I capital:
     Total stated shareholders' equity                        $     35,727            33,232          32,204
     Less:   Intangible assets                                       5,192             5,834           5,976
             Unrealized gain (loss)
                on securities available for
                sale, net of income taxes                              185               146            (100)
                                                              ------------      ------------    ------------
Total Tier I leverage capital                                       30,350            27,252          26,328

Tier II capital:
     Allowable allowance for loan losses                             3,217             2,789           2,842
                                                              ------------      ------------    ------------

Total capital                                                 $     33,567            30,041          29,170
                                                              ============      ============    ============

Risk-adjusted assets                                          $    262,735           229,084         227,330
Tier I risk-adjusted assets (includes Tier I
     capital adjustments)                                          257,358           223,104         221,454
Tier II risk adjusted assets (includes Tiers I
     and II capital adjustments)                                   260,575           225,893         224,296
Quarterly average total assets                                     362,601           333,337         327,005
Adjusted quarterly average total assets
     (includes Tier I capital adjustments)                         357,224           327,357         321,129

Risk-based capital ratios:
     Tier I capital                                                 11.79%            12.21%          11.89%
     Minimum required Tier I capital                                 4.00%             4.00%           4.00%
     Total risk-based capital                                       12.88%            13.30%          13.01%
     Minimum required total risk-based capital                       8.00%             8.00%           8.00%
Leverage capital ratios:
     Tier I leverage capital ratio                                   8.50%             8.32%           8.20%
     Minimum required Tier I leverage capital                      3-5.00%           3-5.00%         3-5.00%






FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997         Page 13 of 19

PENDING BRANCH ACQUISITION

    The Company  expects to  consummate  the  acquisition  of the  premises  and
equipment  and assume  the  deposits  of a First  Union  National  Bank of North
Carolina  branch in Lillington,  N.C. during  November 1997.  Approximately  $15
million in  deposits  are  expected  to be  assumed as part of the  acquisition.
Management  does not expect  this  transaction  to have any  immediate  material
effect on the Company's operations or liquidity position.

ACCOUNTING AND REGULATORY MATTERS

     In  February  1997,  the  Financial   Accounting  Standards  (FASB)  issued
Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  (SFAS) No. 128,  "Earnings  Per
Share," which  establishes  standards for computing and presenting  earnings per
share.  SFAS No. 128 simplifies  the  computation of earnings per share (EPS) by
replacing the  presentation of "primary"  earnings per share with a presentation
of "basic" EPS. Basic EPS excludes  dilution and is computed by dividing  income
available to common  shareholders by weighted average common shares outstanding.
Diluted  EPS is  computed  similarly  to  "fully  diluted"  EPS  under  existing
accounting  rules.  Dual  presentation  of basic and diluted EPS is required for
complex capital structures.  SFAS No. 128 is effective for financial  statements
issued for periods  ending after December 15, 1997;  earlier  application is not
permitted but restatement of prior years' EPS is required.  The adoption of SFAS
No.  128 is not  expected  to have a  material  effect  on  previously  reported
earnings per share.

    In  February  1997,  the FASB  also  issued  SFAS No.  129,  "Disclosure  of
Information about Capital Structure." This Statement  establishes  standards for
disclosing  information  about an entity's  capital  structure.  SFAS No. 129 is
effective for the  Corporation's  financial  statements as of December 31, 1997.
The Corporation  does not anticipate that the  implementation  of this Statement
will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

    In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income"
which  establishes  standards for reporting and display of comprehensive  income
and its components in a full set of financial  statements.  Comprehensive income
is defined as the change in equity  during a period for  non-owner  transactions
and  is  divided  into  net  income  and  other  comprehensive   income.   Other
comprehensive  income includes  revenues,  expenses,  gains, and losses that are
excluded from earnings under current accounting  standards.  This statement does
not change or modify the reporting or display in the income statement.  SFAS No.
130 is effective for interim and annual  periods  beginning  after  December 31,
1997 although  early  adoption is permitted.  Comparative  financial  statements
provided  for earlier  periods are  required to be  reclassified  to reflect the
application of this statement.

    In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131,  "Disclosures  about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related  Information."  The statement  requires  management to
report selected financial and descriptive information about reportable operating
segments.  It also establishes  standards for related disclosures about products
and services, geographic areas, and major customers. Generally,  disclosures are
required for segments internally identified to evaluate performance and resource
allocation.  SFAS No. 131 is  effective  for  financial  statements  for periods
beginning  after  December  15,  1997.  In  the  initial  year  of  application,
comparative  information for prior periods is to be restated, if it is practical
to do so.  SFAS  No.  131  does  not have to be  applied  to  interim  financial
statements in the initial year of application, but, comparative information must
be provided for interim periods in the second year of application.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

    The foregoing  discussion may contain forward looking  statements within the
meaning of the Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act. Such  statements are
characterized  by the use of qualifying  words (and their  derivatives)  such as
"expect,"  "believe,"  "project,"  or other  statements  concerning  opinions or
judgment of the Company and its  management  about future  events.  Factors that
could influence the accuracy of such forward looking statements include, but are
not limited to, the  financial  success or changing  strategies of the Company's
customers, actions of government regulators, the level of market interest rates,
and general economic conditions.






FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997         Page 14 of 19

Part II.  Other Information

 Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 (a)       Exhibits
           The following  exhibits are filed with this report or, as noted,  are
           incorporated by reference.  Management contracts,  compensatory plans
           and arrangements are marked with an asterisk (*).

3.a.i      Copy of Articles of  Incorporation  of the  Registrant and amendments
           thereto,  was filed as Exhibit 3(a) to the Registrant's  Registration
           Statement Number 33-12692, and is incorporated herein by reference.

3.a.ii     Copy of the  amendment  to Articles of  Incorporation  - adding a new
           Article Nine, filed as exhibit 3(e) to the Company's Annual Report on
           Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988,  and is  incorporated
           herein by reference.

3.b.i      Copy of the Bylaws of the  Registrant  and  amendments  thereto,  was
           filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
           for the year ended December 31, 1994, and is  incorporated  herein by
           reference.

10         Material Contracts
10.a       Data  processing  Agreement dated October 1, 1984 by and between Bank
           of Montgomery  (First Bank) and Montgomery  Data  Services,  Inc. was
           filed as Exhibit  10(k) to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement
           Number 33-12692, and is incorporated herein by reference.

10.b       First Bank  Salary  and  Incentive  Plan,  as  amended,  was filed as
           Exhibit  10(m)  to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement  Number
           33-12692, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*)

10.c       First Bancorp  Savings Plus and Profit  Sharing Plan (401(k)  savings
           incentive plan and trust),  as amended  January 25, 1994 and July 19,
           1994,  was filed as Exhibit 10(c) to the  Company's  Annual Report on
           Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1994, and is incorporated
           herein by reference. (*)

10.d       Directors and Officers  Liability  Insurance Policy of First Bancorp,
           dated  July 16,  1991,  was filed as Exhibit  10(g) to the  Company's
           Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1991, and
           is incorporated herein by reference.

10.e       Indemnification  Agreement  between the Company and its Directors and
           Officers was filed as Exhibit 10(t) to the Registrant's  Registration
           Statement Number 33-12692, and is incorporated herein by reference.

10.f       First Bancorp Employees' Pension Plan, as amended on August 16, 1994,
           was filed as Exhibit  10(g) to the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form
           10-KSB for the year ended  December  31,  1994,  and is  incorporated
           herein by reference. (*)

10.g       First Bancorp Senior  Management  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement
           Plan dated May 31, 1993,  was filed as Exhibit 10(k) to the Company's
           Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended June 30,  1993,
           and is incorporated herein by reference. (*)


10.h       First  Bancorp   Senior   Management   Split-Dollar   Life  Insurance
           Agreements between the Company and the Executive Officers, as amended
           on December 22,  1994,  was filed as Exhibit  10(i) to the  Company's
           Annual  Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended  December  31, 1994,
           and is incorporated herein by reference. (*)

10.i       First  Bancorp 1994 Stock  Option Plan was filed as Exhibit  10(n) to
           the Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended
           March 31, 1994, and is incorporated herein by reference. (*)

10.j       Severance  Agreement  between the  Company and James A. Gunter  dated
           October 12, 1995 was filed as Exhibit 10(m) to the  Company's  Annual
           Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended  December 31,  1995,  and is
           incorporated by reference. (*)

10.k       Severance  Agreement  between the Company and Patrick A. Meisky dated
           December 29, 1995 


FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997         Page 15 of 19

     
           was filed as Exhibit  10(o) to the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form
           10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1995, and is  incorporated  by
           reference. (*)

10.l       Amendment to the First Bancorp  Savings Plus and Profit  Sharing Plan
           (401(k) savings  incentive plan and trust),  dated December 17, 1996,
           was filed as Exhibit  10(m) to the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form
           10-KSB for the year ended  December  31,  1996,  and is  incorporated
           herein by reference. (*)

10.m       Purchase and Assumption  Agreement  dated June 18, 1997 between First
           Union  National Bank and First Bank was filed as Exhibit 10(m) to the
           Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended June
           30, 1997, and is incorporated herein by reference.

27         Financial Data Schedules pursuant to Article 9 of Regulation S-X.

 (b) There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during the quarter ended  September
30, 1997.





FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997         Page 16 of 19





       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





                                                  FIRST BANCORP


    November 3, 1997                          BY: /s/ James H. Garner
                                                  -------------------
                                                  James H. Garner
                                                  President
                                                  (Principal Executive Officer),
                                                  Treasurer and Director


    November 3, 1997                          BY: /s/ Anna G. Hollers
                                                  ----------------------
                                                  Anna G. Hollers
                                                  Executive Vice President
                                                  and Secretary


    November 3, 1997                          BY: /s/  Eric P. Credle
                                                  -------------------
                                                  Eric P. Credle
                                                  Vice President
                                                  and Chief Financial Officer







FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997         Page 17 of 19



                                            EXHIBIT CROSS REFERENCE INDEX

    Exhibit                                                                                                   Page(s)
    -------                                                                                                   -------
                                                                                                          
     3.a.i     Copy of Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant                                                *

     3.a.ii    Copy of the amendment to Articles of Incorporation

     3.b.i     Copy of the Bylaws of the Registrant                                                               *


     10.a      Data processing Agreement by and between Bank of Montgomery (First Bank) and
               Montgomery Data Services, Inc.                                                                     *

     10.b      First Bank Salary and Incentive Plan, as amended                                                   *

     10.c      First Bancorp Savings Plus and Profit Sharing Plan (401(k) savings incentive plan
               and trust), as amended                                                                             *

     10.d      Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Policy of First Bancorp                                 *

     10.e      Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its Directors and Officers                       *

     10.f      First Bancorp Employees' Pension Plan                                                              *

     10.g      First Bancorp Senior Management Supplemental Executive  Retirement Plan                            *

     10.h      First Bancorp Senior Management Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreements between
               the Company and the Executive Officers                                                             *

     10.i      First Bancorp 1994 Stock Option Plan                                                               *

     10.j      Severance Agreement between the Company and James A. Gunter                                        *

     10.k      Severance Agreement between the Company and Patrick A. Meisky                                      *

     10.l      Amendment to the First Bancorp Savings Plus and Profit Sharing Plan (401(k)
               savings incentive plan and trust)                                                                  *

     10.m      Purchase and Assumption Agreement between First Union National Bank and
               First Bank                                                                                         *


     27        Financial Data Schedules pursuant to Article 9 of Regulation S-X                                  19



               * Incorporated herein by reference.






FIRST BANCORP (No. 0-15572), FORM 10-Q, September 30, 1997         Page 18 of 19