PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA INC
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Mar 11, 2026.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2025 · Filed Mar 11, 2026
PEBK$42.82+3.8%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-K
Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-03-12.
0001654954-25-002689
Item 1A. - Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-K
Period ended 2025-12-31; filed 2026-03-11.
0001654954-26-002154
Item 1A. - Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 82 previous paragraphs and 86 current paragraphs.
77 unchanged; 5 reworded; 4 added; 0 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 3 previous and 3 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (4)
Current report
We are in the process of implementing artificial intelligence, including generative artificial intelligence, machine learning, and similar tools and technologies that collect, aggregate, analyze or generate data or other materials or content (collectively, “AI”), for internal use. We expect to adopt such tools as appropriate to increase efficiency, in line with our AI Strategy. In addition, we expect our third-party vendors and service providers to increasingly develop and incorporate AI into their product offerings faster than we are able to do so independently. There are significant and evolving risks involved in utilizing AI, and no assurance can be provided that our or our third-party vendors’ or service providers’ use of AI will enhance our or our third-party vendors’ or service providers’ products or services or produce the intended results. The adoption and incorporation of such AI tools can lead to concerns around safety and soundness, fair access to financial services, fair treatment of consumers, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Such risk can result from models being incorrectly or inadequately designed or trained, inadequate model testing or validation, narrow or limited human oversight, inadequate planning or due diligence, inappropriate or controversial data practices by developers or end-users, and other factors adversely affecting public opinion of AI and the acceptance of AI solutions. Further, generative AI has been known to, and may continue to, create biased, incomplete, inaccurate, misleading or poor-quality output or produce other discriminatory or unexpected results, errors, or inadequacies, any of which may not be easily detectable. AI solutions may also be adversely impacted by unforeseen defects, technical challenges, cyber-attacks, cybersecurity breaches, service outages or other similar incidents, or material performance issues. We have implemented an AI governance function and risk management framework that includes a risk assessment of internal and vendor AI solutions, due diligence, model validation, and controls. However, given the pace of rapid adoption of such tools by vendors and service providers, we may not be aware of the addition of AI solutions prior to such tools being introduced into our environment. Failure to adequately manage AI risks can result in erroneous results and decisions made by misinformation, unwanted forms of bias, unauthorized access to sensitive, confidential, proprietary or personal information, and violations of applicable laws and regulations, leading to operational inefficiencies, competitive harm, reputational harm, ethical challenges, legal liability, losses, fines, and other adverse impacts on our business and financial results. If we do not have sufficient rights to use the data or other material or content on which the AI tools we use rely, or to use the output of such AI tools, we also may incur liability through the violation of applicable laws and regulation…
Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.
Current report
In addition, regulation of AI is rapidly evolving as legislatures and regulators are increasingly focused on these powerful emerging technologies. The technologies underlying AI and its uses are subject to a variety of laws and regulations, including intellectual property, data privacy and cybersecurity, consumer protection, competition, equal opportunity, and fair lending laws, and are expected to be subject to increased regulation and new laws or new applications of existing laws and regulations. AI is the subject of ongoing review by various U.S. governmental and regulatory agencies, and various U.S. states are applying, or are considering applying, existing laws and regulations to AI or are considering general legal frameworks for AI. We may not be able to anticipate how to respond to these rapidly evolving frameworks, and we may need to expend resources to adjust our operations or offerings in certain jurisdictions if the legal frameworks are inconsistent across jurisdictions. Furthermore, because AI technology itself is highly complex and rapidly developing, it is not possible to predict all the legal, operational or technological risks that may arise relating to the use of AI. We expect our use of AI will require additional resources, including the incurrence of additional costs, to develop and maintain our products and services to minimize potentially harmful or unintended consequences, to comply with applicable and emerging laws and regulations, to maintain or extend our competitive position, and to address any ethical, reputational, technical, operational, legal, competitive or regulatory issues which may arise as a result of any of the foregoing.
Current report
We face increasing competition from fintechs and other technology-driven platforms
Current report
Fintechs and other technology-driven platforms are expanding their presence, offering a wide variety of products and services that challenge traditional banking models. The growing experimentation with and adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, blockchain, stablecoins, and other digital currencies-including the potential issuance, acceptance, and integration of central bank digital currencies-have the potential to fundamentally reshape the financial services landscape. Developments in the regulatory landscape relating to emerging technologies, such as the enactment and implementation of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025 (“GENIUS Act”) and potential enactment of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 (“CLARITY Act”) or similar market structure legislation, may affect our clients’ needs and expectations for products and services. Failure to keep pace with technological advancements may adversely affect our competitive position, diminish customer satisfaction, and reduce the accessibility and relevance of our products and services.
Reworded paragraphs (5)
Previous wording
Changes in prevailing interest rates may hurt the Bank’s business. The Bank derives its income primarily from the difference or “spread” between the interest earned on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets, and interest paid on deposits, borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities. In general, the larger the spread, the more the Bank earns. When market rates of interest change, and in particular during periods of rapid rate movements as experienced in 2022 and 2023, the interest the Bank receives on its assets and the interest the Bank pays on its liabilities will fluctuate. This can cause decreases in the “spread” and can adversely affect the Bank’s income. Changes in market interest rates could reduce the value of the Bank’s financial assets. Fixed-rate investments, mortgage-backed and related securities and mortgage loans generally decrease in value as interest rates rise. In addition, interest rates affect how much money the Bank lends. For example, when interest rates rise, the cost of borrowing increases and the loan originations tend to decrease. If the Bank is unsuccessful in managing the effects of changes in interest rates, the financial condition and results of operations could suffer.
Current wording
Changes in prevailing interest rates may hurt the Bank’s business. The Bank derives its income primarily from the difference or “spread” between the interest earned on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets, and interest paid on deposits, borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities. In general, the larger the spread, the more the Bank earns. When market rates of interest change, the interest the Bank receives on its assets and the interest the Bank pays on its liabilities will fluctuate. This can cause decreases in the “spread” and can adversely affect the Bank’s income. Changes in market interest rates could reduce the value of the Bank’s financial assets. Fixed-rate investments, mortgage-backed and related securities and mortgage loans generally decrease in value as interest rates rise. In addition, interest rates affect how much money the Bank lends. For example, when interest rates rise, the cost of borrowing increases and the loan originations tend to decrease. If the Bank is unsuccessful in managing the effects of changes in interest rates, the financial condition and results of operations could suffer.
Previous wording
The Bank’s two largest deposit relationships, amounted to $117.0 million at December 31, 2024. These balances represent 7.88% of total deposits at December 31, 2024. Withdrawals of deposits by any one of our largest depositors could force us to rely more heavily on borrowings and other sources of funding for our business and withdrawal demands, adversely affecting our net interest margin and results of operations. We may also be forced, as a result of any withdrawal of deposits, to rely more heavily on other, potentially more expensive and less stable funding sources. Consequently, the occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and future prospects.
Current wording
The Bank’s two largest deposit relationships, amounted to $122.7 million at December 31, 2025. These balances represent 8.13% of total deposits at December 31, 2025. Withdrawals of deposits by any one of our largest depositors could force us to rely more heavily on borrowings and other sources of funding for our business and withdrawal demands, adversely affecting our net interest margin and results of operations. We may also be forced, as a result of any withdrawal of deposits, to rely more heavily on other, potentially more expensive and less stable funding sources. Consequently, the occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and future prospects.
Previous wording
Like many financial institutions, the Bank relies on customer deposits as its primary source of funding for its lending activities, and the Bank continues to seek customer deposits to maintain this funding base. The Bank’s future growth will largely depend on its ability to retain and grow its deposit base. As of December 31, 2024, the Bank had $1.48 billion in deposits. The Bank’s deposits are subject to potentially dramatic fluctuations in availability or price due to certain factors outside of its control, such as increasing competitive pressures for deposits, changes in interest rates and returns on other investment classes, customer perceptions of its financial health and general reputation, and a loss of confidence by customers in the Bank or the banking sector generally, which could result in significant outflows of deposits within short periods of time or significant changes in pricing necessary to maintain current customer deposits or attract additional deposits. The availability of deposits can also be impacted by regulatory changes (e.g., changes in FDIC insurance, the liquidity coverage ratio, etc.), changes in the financial condition of the Bank, or the banking industry in general, and other events which can impact the perceived safety and soundness or economic benefits of bank deposits. Any loss by the Bank of its deposit base could limit its lending ability resulting in lower loan originations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Current wording
Like many financial institutions, the Bank relies on customer deposits as its primary source of funding for its lending activities, and the Bank continues to seek customer deposits to maintain this funding base. The Bank’s future growth will largely depend on its ability to retain and grow its deposit base. As of December 31, 2025, the Bank had $1.51 billion in deposits. The Bank’s deposits are subject to potentially dramatic fluctuations in availability or price due to certain factors outside of its control, such as increasing competitive pressures for deposits, changes in interest rates and returns on other investment classes, customer perceptions of its financial health and general reputation, and a loss of confidence by customers in the Bank or the banking sector generally, which could result in significant outflows of deposits within short periods of time or significant changes in pricing necessary to maintain current customer deposits or attract additional deposits. The availability of deposits can also be impacted by regulatory changes (e.g., changes in FDIC insurance, the liquidity coverage ratio, etc.), changes in the financial condition of the Bank, or the banking industry in general, and other events which can impact the perceived safety and soundness or economic benefits of bank deposits. Any loss by the Bank of its deposit base could limit its lending ability resulting in lower loan originations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Previous wording
At December 31, 2024, unrealized losses in our available for sale investment securities portfolio totaled $51.1 million. These unrealized losses arose due to changing interest rates and are considered to be temporary; however, in the event that we sell these securities while they are in an unrealized loss position, we will recognize a corresponding loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and financial condition.
Current wording
At December 31, 2025, unrealized losses in our available for sale investment securities portfolio totaled $35.3 million. These unrealized losses arose due to changing interest rates and are considered to be temporary; however, in the event that we sell these securities while they are in an unrealized loss position, we will recognize a corresponding loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and financial condition.
Previous wording
In deciding whether to extend credit or to enter into other transactions with clients and counterparties, we may rely on information furnished to us by or on behalf of clients and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information, which we do not independently verify. We also may rely on representations of clients and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. For example, in deciding whether to extend credit to a client, we may assume that the client’s audited financial statements conform with GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the client. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected to the extent we rely on financial statements that do not comply with GAAP or are materially misleading, any of which could be caused by errors, omissions, or fraudulent behavior by our employees, clients, counterparties, or other third parties.
Current wording
In deciding whether to extend credit or to enter into other transactions with clients and counterparties, we may rely on information furnished to us by or on behalf of clients and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information, which we do not independently verify. We also may rely on representations of clients and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. For example, in deciding whether to extend credit to a client, we may assume that the client’s financial statements conform with GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the client. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected to the extent we rely on financial statements that do not comply with GAAP or are materially misleading, any of which could be caused by errors, omissions, or fraudulent behavior by our employees, clients, counterparties, or other third parties.