First Bank Announces Completion of $35 Million Subordinated Debt Offering

Group 1 - First Bank announced the closing of a $35.0 million private placement of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes, intending to use the proceeds to redeem $30.0 million of existing subordinated notes and for general corporate purposes [1][2] - The notes have a maturity date of June 30, 2035, with a fixed interest rate of 7.125% for the first five years, transitioning to a floating rate thereafter, which is the three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 343 basis points [2] - The notes are structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes, and the Bank can redeem them without penalty starting June 30, 2030 [2] Group 2 - CEO Patrick L. Ryan expressed satisfaction with the successful completion of the subordinated debt offering, highlighting that it allows the Bank to retire existing notes at a lower interest rate and enhance its capital base without diluting common stock [3] - The overall cost of capital is considered attractive due to the tax-deductible nature of the instrument combined with the low interest rate [3] - Piper Sandler & Co. acted as the sole placement agent for the offering, with legal advice provided by Luse Gorman, PC and Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP [3] Group 3 - First Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered bank with 27 full-service branches and $3.88 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, offering a range of deposit and loan products primarily in the New York City to Philadelphia corridor [4]