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Company

FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES INC

Ticker
FCNCA
Sector
Financial Services
Industry
Banks - Regional
Report date
January 29, 2026
Valye AI Score

100

Very high visibility
Valye AI Visibility Research Score

Very high visibility

Visibility score reflects the breadth and consistency of available disclosure across SEC filings, recent public reporting, and baseline business context (research-only; not investment advice).

100
Recent developments

Scenarios for FCNCA

Recent developments summary

Recent developments include earnings reports highlighting strong loan growth and interest income, strategic branch acquisitions, leadership changes in risk management, and dividend declarations.

Recent developments:
  • First Citizens BancShares reported strong profit and interest income growth amid stabilization of Silicon Valley Bank assets [N1].
  • The company announced the acquisition of BMO branch units, adding 138 branches and assuming $5.7 billion in deposits, with closing anticipated mid-2026 [N2].
  • A recent SEC 10-Q filing provides updated financial and operational disclosures [N3].
  • The company named a successor following the retirement of its veteran chief risk officer [N4].
  • First Citizens BancShares reported fourth quarter 2025 earnings with strong loan growth and operational highlights [N5][N6].
  • Citigroup maintained a neutral recommendation on the company [N7].
  • UBS maintained a buy recommendation on the company [N8].
Overview

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. is a Delaware-based financial holding company and the parent of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (FCB). FCB operates a network of more than 500 branches and offices predominantly in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Western United States. The company provides a wide range of financial services including commercial and consumer banking, lending, leasing, deposit accounts, and wealth management. It also offers investment products and services through wholly owned subsidiaries that act as registered broker-dealers and investment advisers. The company has grown through acquisitions, including the 2022 merger with CIT Group Inc. and the acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank assets, maintaining those brands as divisions. As of September 30, 2025, the company reported revenues of approximately $2.433 billion and net income of $568 million. The company is well capitalized and subject to regulatory capital and liquidity requirements. Recent expansion includes acquiring BMO branches and purchasing office real estate in San Francisco. The company also maintains community reinvestment commitments and has experienced recent leadership changes in risk management.

Executive summary

What this means

Financial figures (if any) are summarized from the latest available SEC filings and are provided for informational purposes only — not financial advice. First Citizens BancShares, Inc. operates as a financial holding company with a broad network of over 500 branches across multiple U.S. regions, offering commercial and consumer banking, wealth management, and investment services through subsidiaries. The company has reported revenues of $2.433 billion and net income of $568 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, with strong liquidity and capital adequacy. Recent strategic activities include the acquisition of BMO branches and continued integration of Silicon Valley Bank assets. Leadership transitions and community benefit commitments are notable recent developments.

Scenarios for FCNCA

Bull case model:

The company has demonstrated strong financial performance with significant revenues and net income reported in recent SEC filings. Its strategic acquisitions, including BMO branch units and Silicon Valley Bank assets, expand its footprint and deposit base. The diversified service offerings across banking, wealth management, and investment services provide multiple revenue streams. The company’s well-capitalized position and regulatory compliance support operational stability. Recent leadership transitions in risk management indicate active governance. Community benefit commitments may enhance local market relationships and support sustainable growth.

Bear case model:

The company faces risks related to credit quality, particularly in commercial real estate loans affected by economic and market conditions such as e-commerce growth and work-from-home trends. Integration of acquired assets, including those from FDIC-assisted transactions, may require additional resources and pose operational challenges. Regulatory requirements for capital adequacy and resolution planning impose ongoing compliance demands. Increased FDIC insurance premiums raise operating costs. Leadership changes in risk management may introduce transitional risks. Economic downturns or adverse real estate market developments could impact loan performance and financial results.

Moat:

First Citizens BancShares benefits from a broad and diversified branch network across multiple U.S. regions, providing scale and geographic diversification. The company's long-standing family governance and management continuity contribute to stable strategic direction. Its integrated banking and wealth management services, along with investment advisory subsidiaries, create a comprehensive financial services platform. The company's history of acquisitions, including CIT Group and Silicon Valley Bank assets, enhances its market presence and customer base. Regulatory capital strength and community reinvestment commitments support its reputation and operational resilience. These factors collectively contribute to a competitive moat in regional banking.

Risks overview
Risks summary
Credit risk from commercial real estate loans and operational challenges from acquisitions and regulatory compliance represent significant risks to the company.
Risks details:

• Credit Risk Exposure: The company is exposed to credit risk from commercial real estate loans, which have been impacted by economic conditions including shifts in retail, hotel, and office sectors due to e-commerce and work-from-home trends.
• Integration and Operational Risks: Acquisitions, including FDIC-assisted transactions like the Silicon Valley Bank assets, require integration of personnel, systems, and controls, which may demand additional resources and pose operational challenges.
• Regulatory Compliance: The company must comply with capital adequacy, liquidity, stress testing, and resolution planning requirements, including submitting a full resolution plan to the FDIC, which involves detailed regulatory scrutiny.
• Increased Operating Costs: Elevated FDIC insurance premiums following declines in the deposit insurance fund reserve ratio increase the cost of deposit insurance for the company.
• Leadership Transition: Recent retirement of a veteran chief risk officer and appointment of a successor may introduce transitional risks in risk management oversight.

LLM visibility overview
LLM Visibility known facts
  • First Citizens BancShares, Inc. is a financial holding company incorporated in Delaware in 1986 and is the parent of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (FCB).
  • FCB operates a network of more than 500 branches and offices nationwide, predominantly in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Western United States, including states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
  • The company provides commercial and consumer banking services including lending, leasing, deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, time deposits), and wealth management services.
  • First Citizens BancShares has expanded through de novo branching and acquisitions, including the acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) assets and CIT Group Inc. in 2022, maintaining the SVB and CIT brands as divisions of FCB.
  • The company also offers investment products and services through wholly owned subsidiaries such as First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. (FCIS), First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. (FCAM), and First Citizens Capital Securities, LLC (FCCS), which provide brokerage, investment management, underwriting, and private placement services.
  • As of September 30, 2025, the company reported revenues of approximately $2.433 billion and net income of $568 million, with basic and diluted earnings per share of $43.08, according to the latest 10-Q filing [S2].
  • Cash and cash equivalents were reported at approximately $9.03 billion as of December 31, 2021 [S1].
  • The company is well capitalized under current leverage and risk-based capital standards and is subject to regulatory capital adequacy, liquidity, stress testing, and capital planning requirements [S1].
  • First Citizens BancShares is actively expanding its branch network, including a recent announcement to acquire BMO units with 138 branches and $5.7 billion in deposits, with the acquisition expected to close mid-2026 [N2].
  • The company maintains a community benefits plan addendum related to the SVB acquisition, committing to $6.5 billion in community benefits including small business lending, CRA development lending, and residential mortgages to low-to-moderate income borrowers [S1].
  • Recent leadership changes include the retirement of a veteran chief risk officer and appointment of a successor [N4].
  • The company reported strong loan growth and interest income strength in recent earnings calls and reports [N1][N5][N6].
  • First Citizens BancShares has a history of family influence in governance, with descendants of Robert P. Holding serving in executive and board roles since the 1920s [S1].
  • The company is subject to FDIC insurance premium assessments, which have increased due to declines in the deposit insurance fund reserve ratio [S1].
  • The company faces credit risk exposure from commercial real estate loans, which have been impacted by economic conditions, including e-commerce growth and work-from-home trends affecting retail, hotel, and office sectors [S1].
  • The company uses acquisition accounting for business combinations, recognizing goodwill and fair value adjustments for acquired assets and liabilities [S2].
  • The company is required to submit a full resolution plan to the FDIC under the Covered Insured Depository Institution rule, with the next submission due July 1, 2025 [S1].
  • Recent real estate activity includes the purchase of a 160,000 sq ft office building in San Francisco with a planned opening in 2027 [N2].
  • The company declared dividends covering both common and preferred stock in early 2026 [N2].

FINAL FORECAST FOR FCNCA

Final take one line
First Citizens BancShares exhibits very high visibility with comprehensive disclosures on its diversified banking operations, recent acquisitions, financial performance, and regulatory compliance.
Final take 12 to 24 month view

Business trends: Continued expansion through acquisitions and branch growth, integration of Silicon Valley Bank and BMO units, and diversified financial services offerings.
Execution milestones: Completion of BMO branch acquisition, submission of regulatory resolution plans, and leadership transitions in risk management.
Key risks: Credit quality pressures in commercial real estate loans, operational challenges from acquisitions, regulatory compliance demands, and elevated deposit insurance costs.

Final take watchlist summary
Sources
Sources - Context summary

Generated 2026-01-30

Sources - Earning calls
Sources - Other context
Sources - SEC Filings
  • S1 | 2025-02-21 | 10-K
  • S2 | 2025-11-07 | 10-Q
Sources - News headlines
  • N1 | 2026-01-26 | Reuters | First Citizens profit beats estimates as Silicon Valley Bank stabilizes | https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/svb-owner-first-citizens-profit-beats-estimates-interest-income-strength-2024-04-25/
  • N2 | 2026-01-26 | tradingview.com | First Citizens BancShares Inc Announces BMO Branch Acquisition | https://www.tradingview.com/news/tradingview:f367b5f471a10:0-first-citizens-bancshares-inc-announces-bmo-branch-acquisition/
  • N3 | 2026-01-26 | tradingview.com | FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES INC /DE/ SEC 10-Q Report | https://www.tradingview.com/news/tradingview:964db4e29ed51:0-first-citizens-bancshares-inc-de-sec-10-q-report/
  • N4 | 2026-01-26 | stocktitan.net | Veteran risk leader retires as First Citizens Bank names successor | https://www.stocktitan.net/news/FCNCA/first-citizens-banc-shares-inc-announces-chief-risk-officer-t5c0ju9o3hih.html
  • N5 | 2026-01-25 | finanznachrichten.de | First Citizens BancShares, Inc.: First Citizens BancShares Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings | https://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2026-01/67512816-first-citizens-bancshares-inc-first-citizens-bancshares-reports-fourth-quarter-2025-earnings-008.htm
  • N6 | 2026-01-25 | rockymounttelegram.com | First Citizens: Q4 Earnings Snapshot | https://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/state/first-citizens-q4-earnings-snapshot/article_5d63de7c-84da-545c-a7f3-9837f5c63552.html
  • N7 | 2026-01-25 | nasdaq.com | Citigroup Maintains First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) Neutral Recommendation | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/citigroup-maintains-first-citizens-bancshares-fcnca-neutral-recommendation
  • N8 | 2026-01-25 | nasdaq.com | UBS Maintains First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) Buy Recommendation | https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/ubs-maintains-first-citizens-bancshares-fcnca-buy-recommendation
Important legal disclaimer

This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal or tax advice, or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. The Valye AI Score is a model-based estimate derived from public information and is subject to change without notice. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information herein. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should conduct their own research and consult a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

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Generated by Valye SEC Pipeline Engine

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