First Bancorp vs LendingClub

This page compares First Bancorp and LendingClub, examining business models, financial performance, and market context to help readers understand similarities and differences in their approach and positioning. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares First Bancorp and LendingClub, examining business models, financial performance, and market context to help readers understand similarities and differences in their approach and pos...

About The Companies

First Bancorp (FBNC)

First Bancorp (FBNC) is a US regional bank holding company with a market capitalisation of about $2.02 billion. It provides core banking services — including deposit-taking, commercial and consumer lending, mortgage services and basic wealth management — primarily to local communities in the regions it serves. For investors, key features to note are its sensitivity to the interest-rate cycle, loan book quality and local economic conditions, which can materially affect earnings and credit losses. The company has grown through organic lending and selective acquisitions, which can offer scale but also integration and regulatory risks. As a bank, it faces standard sector considerations: capital and liquidity regulation, competition from larger banks and fintechs, and cyclical demand for credit. This summary is educational and not personalised advice: values can fall as well as rise, and past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Consider your goals and risk tolerance before making investment decisions.

LendingClub (LC)

LendingClub Corporation (LC) operates an online lending marketplace that connects borrowers with investors and manages loan servicing. The company earns fees from loan origination, servicing and selling loans, plus interest income on retained loan portfolios. Investors should note LendingClub’s performance is sensitive to the credit cycle, underwriting outcomes and interest-rate environments; profitability can fluctuate as loan volumes, default rates and funding costs change. Competition comes from banks, fintech lenders and marketplace platforms, and regulatory or compliance changes can affect operations. With a market capitalisation around $1.9 billion, the stock may appeal to those watching fintech disruption in consumer credit, but it carries higher credit and macroeconomic exposure than many diversified financial firms. This summary is educational only; it is not personal investment advice. Values can rise or fall and past performance does not guarantee future returns. Consider your risk tolerance and do your own research or consult a qualified adviser before investing.

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

FBNC

Metric

LC

$2.21B

Market Cap

$2.29B

10.10%

Potential Profit

11.47%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Buy

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Riding The Southeast Consolidation Wave

The merger of Pinnacle Financial and Synovus Financial creates a dominant regional bank in the Southeastern U.S. This major deal could trigger a wave of consolidation, creating opportunities among other regional banks poised for similar strategic moves.

Published: July 26, 2025

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Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Riding The Southeast Consolidation Wave

The merger of Pinnacle Financial and Synovus Financial creates a dominant regional bank in the Southeastern U.S. This major deal could trigger a wave of consolidation, creating opportunities among other regional banks poised for similar strategic moves.

Published: July 26, 2025

Explore Basket

Investment Analysis

First Bancorp

FBNC

Pros

First Bancorp reported an EPS of $1.01 in the latest quarter, beating analyst expectations, reflecting strong earnings performance.
The company maintains a diversified loan and deposit portfolio across consumer, commercial, real estate, and SBA loans, supporting stable revenue streams.
First Bancorp has a reasonable valuation with a forward P/E ratio around 14.36, suggesting potential for multiple expansion compared to its sector peers.

Considerations

Revenue and earnings declined notably in 2024, with revenue down 13.62% and earnings down 26.70%, indicating recent operational challenges.
The bank's stock price is forecasted by some models to decline over the next year, suggesting potential market headwinds or valuation pressure.
Although profitable, its return on equity at approximately 9.61% shows moderate efficiency compared to top industry competitors.

LendingClub

LC

Pros

LendingClub operates as a leading digital lending platform, benefitting from growth in consumer and small business online loan origination.
The company has been expanding its product offerings and partnerships, enhancing its competitive position in fintech lending.
LendingClub has shown improving credit performance and operational metrics in recent quarters, demonstrating improving risk management.

Considerations

As a fintech lender, LendingClub is sensitive to rising interest rates and borrower credit risk, which could pressure loan growth and profitability.
The business model depends heavily on capital market conditions and securitization capacity, exposing it to funding and liquidity risks.
LendingClub faces intense competition from both traditional banks and fintech peers, which could impact margins and market share.

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About The Companies

Comparison Snapshot

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Riding The Southeast Consolidation Wave

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Riding The Southeast Consolidation Wave

Investment Analysis

First Bancorp

Pros

Considerations

LendingClub

Pros

Considerations

Why invest with Nemo?

Zero Commission

Trusted & Regulated

6% Interest on Cash

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Frequently asked questions

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Comparison Snapshot

First Bancorp vs LendingClub

About The Companies

Comparison Snapshot

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Riding The Southeast Consolidation Wave

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Riding The Southeast Consolidation Wave

Investment Analysis

First Bancorp

Pros

Considerations

LendingClub

Pros

Considerations

Why invest with Nemo?

Zero Commission

Trusted & Regulated

6% Interest on Cash

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Frequently asked questions

What is the main purpose of comparing First Bancorp and LendingClub on this page?

How should I read the ‘pros and cons’ for each stock in this comparison?

What does forward P/E tell me in this context?

How do earnings trends affect the attractiveness of each stock?

Why is diversification mentioned for First Bancorp, and how does it relate to risk?

What funding considerations affect LendingClub’s business model?

What market context is relevant for both stocks right now?

How does competition shape the outlook for both companies?

What should a beginner look for in the financial health indicators shown here?

How should I interpret variability between the two stocks’ performance?

Educational disclaimer: what is the purpose of this page?

About The Companies

Comparison Snapshot