First Community (FCCO) Upgraded to Strong Buy: Here's What You Should Know
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jul 28 2025
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Should l Buy FCCO?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Zacks Rank Upgrade: First Community (FCCO) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), indicating positive earnings outlook and potential for stock price increase due to rising earnings estimates.
Investment Strategy Insight: The Zacks rating system effectively correlates earnings estimate revisions with near-term stock movements, making it a valuable tool for investors seeking to capitalize on market trends.
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Analyst Views on FCCO
About FCCO
First Community Corporation is the holding company for First Community Bank, doing business as Signature Bank of Georgia (the Bank). The Bank is a full-service commercial bank offering deposit and loan products and services, residential mortgage lending and financial planning/investment advisory services for businesses and consumers. It operates 23 full-service offices and a loan production office spanning the Midlands, Upstate, and Piedmont regions of South Carolina, the Central Savannah River Area region of South Carolina and Georgia, and the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Georgia MSA. Its commercial and retail banking segment provides deposit and lending products and services. Its mortgage banking segment provides mortgage origination services for loans that will be sold to investors in the secondary market and consumer mortgage loans that will be held for investment. Its investment advisory and non-deposit segment provides investment advisory services and non-deposit products.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
First Community Corporation Reports Q4 2025 Highlights
- Net Income Growth: First Community Corporation reported a net income of $4.830 million for Q4 2025, down from $5.192 million in Q3 2025 but up 14.1% year-over-year, indicating the company's ability to maintain profitability in a competitive market.
- Earnings Per Share Performance: The diluted earnings per share for Q4 2025 was $0.62, a decrease from $0.67 in Q3 2025 but a 12.7% increase from $0.55 in Q4 2024, reflecting ongoing improvements in the company's profitability.
- Dividend and Buyback Plan: The Board approved a cash dividend of $0.16 per share for Q4 2025 and a plan to repurchase up to $7.5 million in stock, demonstrating the company's commitment to capital management and shareholder returns.
- Stable Asset Quality: As of Q4 2025, non-performing assets represented only 0.02% of total assets, showcasing the company's effectiveness in credit risk management and further bolstering investor confidence.
See More
First Community Closes $50M Acquisition of Signature Bank, Assets Exceed $2.3B
- Merger Completion: First Community Corporation successfully closed its acquisition of Signature Bank on January 8, 2026, valued at approximately $50 million, which elevates the company's total assets to over $2.3 billion, thereby enhancing its market position in South Carolina and Georgia.
- Business Integration: Following the merger, the former offices of Signature Bank will continue to operate as First Community Bank d/b/a Signature Bank of Georgia until the systems conversion is completed in March 2026, which is expected to improve customer service efficiency.
- Network Expansion: The merger expands First Community's full-service banking network to 23 offices, covering multiple regions in South Carolina and Georgia, thereby enhancing its market penetration capabilities.
- Management Changes: Post-merger, former Signature Bank CEO Fred J. Deutsch has been appointed as Executive Vice President of First Community Bank, further strengthening the management team's expertise and market experience.
See More
First Community Closes $50M Acquisition of Signature Bank, Assets Exceed $2.3B
- Merger Completion: First Community Corporation successfully closed its acquisition of Signature Bank on January 8, 2026, valued at approximately $50 million, which increases the company's total assets to over $2.3 billion, enhancing its market position.
- Business Integration: Following the merger, the former offices of Signature Bank will operate as First Community Bank d/b/a Signature Bank of Georgia until the systems conversion is completed in March 2026, thereby improving customer service efficiency.
- Network Expansion: The merger expands First Community's full-service banking network to 23 offices, covering multiple regions in South Carolina and Georgia, which enhances its market penetration capabilities.
- Management Changes: Post-merger, former Signature Bank CEO Fred J. Deutsch and independent director Jonathan W. Been have joined the boards of First Community, further strengthening the company's management capabilities and industry expertise.
See More
First Community Corporation Schedules 2026 Earnings Releases on January 28, April 22, July 22, and October 21
- Earnings Release Schedule: First Community Corporation has announced its earnings release dates for 2026, set for January 28, April 22, July 22, and October 21, ensuring timely access to financial performance information for investors.
- Enhanced Market Transparency: Each earnings report will be issued at 9:00 AM Eastern Time, which not only aids in improving market transparency but also boosts investor confidence in the company's future performance, thereby fostering shareholder relations.
- Company Background: First Community Corporation is the holding company for First Community Bank, offering a full range of commercial banking services, including deposits, loans, mortgage lending, and financial planning, serving various regions in South Carolina and Georgia, demonstrating its solid position in the local market.
- Strategic Development Focus: By regularly releasing earnings reports, First Community aims to strengthen communication with investors and enhance its image in the capital markets, thereby laying a foundation for future business expansion and competitive positioning.
See More
First Community Corporation Schedules 2026 Earnings Releases on January 28, April 22, July 22, and October 21
- Earnings Release Schedule: First Community Corporation has announced its earnings release dates for 2026, set for January 28, April 22, July 22, and October 21, ensuring timely access to financial performance information for investors.
- Market Transparency Enhancement: Each earnings report will be issued at approximately 9:00 AM Eastern Time, which not only aids in improving market transparency but also enhances investor confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Company Background: As the holding company for First Community Bank, First Community Corporation offers a full range of commercial banking services, including deposits, loans, mortgage lending, and financial planning, serving various regions in South Carolina and Georgia, demonstrating its strong local market presence.
- Strategic Positioning: By committing to regular earnings releases, First Community aims to strengthen communication with investors, thereby enhancing its market position and brand recognition in the competitive banking sector.
See More
First Community Corporation Announces Third Quarter Results and Cash Dividend
Financial Performance: First Community Corporation reported a net income of $5.192 million for Q3 2025, a 34.5% increase year-over-year, with diluted EPS of $0.67, also up 34.0% year-over-year. Year-to-date net income reached $14.375 million, a 47.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Loan and Deposit Growth: Total loans increased by $19.3 million in Q3 2025, reflecting a 6.1% annualized growth rate, while total deposits rose by $17.1 million, with customer deposits growing by $27.6 million, indicating a strong focus on relationship-based accounts.
Asset Quality and Capital Ratios: The bank maintained strong asset quality metrics, with a non-performing assets ratio of 0.04% and a past due ratio of 0.07%. Regulatory capital ratios exceeded minimum requirements, with a Common Equity Tier I ratio of 13.10% as of September 30, 2025.
Dividends and Share Repurchase Plan: The Board approved a cash dividend of $0.16 per share, marking the 95th consecutive quarter of dividends. Additionally, a share repurchase plan of up to $7.5 million was authorized to enhance capital management flexibility.
See More
First Community Corporation Reports Q4 2025 Highlights
- Net Income Growth: First Community Corporation reported a net income of $4.830 million for Q4 2025, down from $5.192 million in Q3 2025 but up 14.1% year-over-year, indicating the company's ability to maintain profitability in a competitive market.
- Earnings Per Share Performance: The diluted earnings per share for Q4 2025 was $0.62, a decrease from $0.67 in Q3 2025 but a 12.7% increase from $0.55 in Q4 2024, reflecting ongoing improvements in the company's profitability.
- Dividend and Buyback Plan: The Board approved a cash dividend of $0.16 per share for Q4 2025 and a plan to repurchase up to $7.5 million in stock, demonstrating the company's commitment to capital management and shareholder returns.
- Stable Asset Quality: As of Q4 2025, non-performing assets represented only 0.02% of total assets, showcasing the company's effectiveness in credit risk management and further bolstering investor confidence.
See More
First Community Closes $50M Acquisition of Signature Bank, Assets Exceed $2.3B
- Merger Completion: First Community Corporation successfully closed its acquisition of Signature Bank on January 8, 2026, valued at approximately $50 million, which elevates the company's total assets to over $2.3 billion, thereby enhancing its market position in South Carolina and Georgia.
- Business Integration: Following the merger, the former offices of Signature Bank will continue to operate as First Community Bank d/b/a Signature Bank of Georgia until the systems conversion is completed in March 2026, which is expected to improve customer service efficiency.
- Network Expansion: The merger expands First Community's full-service banking network to 23 offices, covering multiple regions in South Carolina and Georgia, thereby enhancing its market penetration capabilities.
- Management Changes: Post-merger, former Signature Bank CEO Fred J. Deutsch has been appointed as Executive Vice President of First Community Bank, further strengthening the management team's expertise and market experience.
See More
First Community Closes $50M Acquisition of Signature Bank, Assets Exceed $2.3B
- Merger Completion: First Community Corporation successfully closed its acquisition of Signature Bank on January 8, 2026, valued at approximately $50 million, which increases the company's total assets to over $2.3 billion, enhancing its market position.
- Business Integration: Following the merger, the former offices of Signature Bank will operate as First Community Bank d/b/a Signature Bank of Georgia until the systems conversion is completed in March 2026, thereby improving customer service efficiency.
- Network Expansion: The merger expands First Community's full-service banking network to 23 offices, covering multiple regions in South Carolina and Georgia, which enhances its market penetration capabilities.
- Management Changes: Post-merger, former Signature Bank CEO Fred J. Deutsch and independent director Jonathan W. Been have joined the boards of First Community, further strengthening the company's management capabilities and industry expertise.
See More
First Community Corporation Schedules 2026 Earnings Releases on January 28, April 22, July 22, and October 21
- Earnings Release Schedule: First Community Corporation has announced its earnings release dates for 2026, set for January 28, April 22, July 22, and October 21, ensuring timely access to financial performance information for investors.
- Enhanced Market Transparency: Each earnings report will be issued at 9:00 AM Eastern Time, which not only aids in improving market transparency but also boosts investor confidence in the company's future performance, thereby fostering shareholder relations.
- Company Background: First Community Corporation is the holding company for First Community Bank, offering a full range of commercial banking services, including deposits, loans, mortgage lending, and financial planning, serving various regions in South Carolina and Georgia, demonstrating its solid position in the local market.
- Strategic Development Focus: By regularly releasing earnings reports, First Community aims to strengthen communication with investors and enhance its image in the capital markets, thereby laying a foundation for future business expansion and competitive positioning.
See More
First Community Corporation Schedules 2026 Earnings Releases on January 28, April 22, July 22, and October 21
- Earnings Release Schedule: First Community Corporation has announced its earnings release dates for 2026, set for January 28, April 22, July 22, and October 21, ensuring timely access to financial performance information for investors.
- Market Transparency Enhancement: Each earnings report will be issued at approximately 9:00 AM Eastern Time, which not only aids in improving market transparency but also enhances investor confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Company Background: As the holding company for First Community Bank, First Community Corporation offers a full range of commercial banking services, including deposits, loans, mortgage lending, and financial planning, serving various regions in South Carolina and Georgia, demonstrating its strong local market presence.
- Strategic Positioning: By committing to regular earnings releases, First Community aims to strengthen communication with investors, thereby enhancing its market position and brand recognition in the competitive banking sector.
See More
First Community Corporation Announces Third Quarter Results and Cash Dividend
Financial Performance: First Community Corporation reported a net income of $5.192 million for Q3 2025, a 34.5% increase year-over-year, with diluted EPS of $0.67, also up 34.0% year-over-year. Year-to-date net income reached $14.375 million, a 47.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Loan and Deposit Growth: Total loans increased by $19.3 million in Q3 2025, reflecting a 6.1% annualized growth rate, while total deposits rose by $17.1 million, with customer deposits growing by $27.6 million, indicating a strong focus on relationship-based accounts.
Asset Quality and Capital Ratios: The bank maintained strong asset quality metrics, with a non-performing assets ratio of 0.04% and a past due ratio of 0.07%. Regulatory capital ratios exceeded minimum requirements, with a Common Equity Tier I ratio of 13.10% as of September 30, 2025.
Dividends and Share Repurchase Plan: The Board approved a cash dividend of $0.16 per share, marking the 95th consecutive quarter of dividends. Additionally, a share repurchase plan of up to $7.5 million was authorized to enhance capital management flexibility.
See More
