First Ctzns Bancshares Inc N C - FCNCA STOCK NEWS

Venture capital investment in women's health startups reached a record $2.6 billion in 2024, marking a 55% increase from 2023. When including funding for related diseases affecting women disproportionately, total investment rose to $10.7 billion.

Key trends highlighted in SVB's 2025 Innovation in Women's Health Report include:

• Healthtech solutions investment dropped from 54% (2021) to 38% (2024)
• Biopharma investment increased from 12% (2021) to 34% (2024)
• Seed and Series A deals represented 70% of women's health investments in 2024
• Precision medical startups received $3.6 billion in VC funding, up from $1.4 billion in 2023

While exits remain challenging in the sector, recent IPOs and M&A activity suggest potential breakthrough opportunities in the broader healthcare market.

Connectivity Wireless, a leading provider of in-building wireless solutions, has secured $200 million in capital funding to accelerate growth. The financing package includes a $110 million senior debt facility from First Citizens Bank (with an additional $30 million available later) and a $60 million growth investment led by Post Road Group with Boundary Street Capital participation.

The capital will fund system expansion and debt repayment, enabling the company to accelerate deployment of in-building wireless infrastructure solutions across various sectors including sports/entertainment arenas, healthcare, commercial real estate, education, and hospitality. The senior debt facility includes participations from CIBC Bank USA, Third Coast Bank, and Axiom Bank NA.

Peregrine Energy Solutions has secured significant financing for its utility-scale energy storage project, including a $53 million preferred equity commitment from Bildmore Clean Energy and $115 million in debt facilities from First Citizens Bank (FCNCA) and Nomura Securities International. The financing supports a 150MW battery energy storage project currently under construction, with completion targeted for Q4 2025.

Founded in April 2022, Peregrine has developed a 22 GWh storage pipeline across multiple regional markets. The company previously raised $700 million from AB CarVal and secured an LC facility from KKR for up to $250 million in assets. The latest financing structure is designed for a fully merchant storage project, demonstrating innovative funding approaches for developers in the storage market.

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank, has announced a strategic lending partnership with Pinegrove Venture Partners to provide venture debt financing to technology and life science companies. The collaboration aims to deploy $2.5 billion in venture debt loans over the coming years.

Pinegrove, backed by Sequoia Heritage and Brookfield Asset Management, manages assets exceeding $10 billion. The partnership builds on a decade-long relationship during which the two entities have collectively committed over $10 billion in venture debt across 550 loans. Notably, Pinegrove acquired SVB Capital, SVB's former venture capital arm, from SVB Financial Group in 2024.

First Citizens Bank and Sixth Street announced the launch of Sixty-First Commercial Finance, a new platform managed by First Citizens Institutional Asset Management, This joint venture aims to provide flexible capital equipment financing solutions to middle market companies, offering financing ranges from $5 million to $100 million.

The platform will offer tax leases, loans, capital leases, and progress payment financing across various industries including transportation, construction, manufacturing, and warehouse distribution. Bank of America is providing a $300 million warehouse finance facility to fund the venture.

Ryan Berlage, with First Citizens Bank since 2020, will serve as managing director and chief credit officer. Kevin Ronan and Edward Moir have been appointed as officers of First Citizens Institutional Asset Management, to oversee the venture.

First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) reported Q4 2024 earnings with net income of $700 million, up from $639 million in Q3 2024. Net income available to common stockholders was $685 million ($49.21 per diluted share), increasing from $624 million ($43.42 per diluted share) in Q3.

The bank experienced loan and deposit growth across all segments, with total loans reaching $140.22 billion (up 4.4% annualized) and deposits totaling $155.23 billion (up 9.6% annualized). Net interest income was $1.71 billion, decreasing by $87 million from Q3. During Q4, the company repurchased 461,583 shares of Class A common stock for $963 million and maintained strong capital ratios.

Notable items included $62 million in acquisition-related expenses, $16 million in intangible asset amortization, and credit quality remained stable with net charge-offs at 0.46% of average loans.

First Citizens BancShares (Nasdaq: FCNCA) has announced its dividend distributions for Q1 2025. The company will pay a quarterly common stock dividend of $1.95 per share on both Class A and Class B shares. Additionally, three preferred stock dividends were declared: $13.4375 per share on Series A (equivalent to $0.335938 per depositary share), $21.719122 per share on Series B, and $0.351563 per share on Series C. All dividends will be paid on March 17, 2025, to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2025.

First Citizens Bank (FCNCA) has announced a $2 million commitment in donations and financial support to assist those affected by the Southern California wildfires. The funds will be directed towards humanitarian and small business relief efforts, focusing on resource mobilization and long-term regional stabilization.

The bank, which operates 30 branches and offices in Southern California and employs over 1,000 associates in the region, will allocate part of the funds to support its employees directly impacted by the disaster. The bank is also working with customers to develop flexible solutions supporting their recovery efforts.

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank, released its 2025 State of the US Wine Industry Report, revealing significant market shifts. The report highlights a demand-based correction in the wine industry, with total wine consumption decreasing by volume. While the premium wine segment showed resilience with small single-digit sales declines, the top quartile of wineries achieved 22% sales growth.

Key findings include: total wine category sales ending 2024 with negative volume growth between -3% and -1%, weighted average winery revenue decline of 3.4%, and bottom quartile seeing a 16% revenue decline. No- and low-alcohol wine, white wine, and prosecco experienced positive growth, with white wine outpacing red wine sales for the first time in years. The market conditions are creating the most accessible bottle pricing in 30 years.

The report emphasizes a critical generational shift, with younger consumers showing different consumption patterns and often choosing alternatives to wine. Growing consumption share in the 30-45 segment is deemed important for industry recovery.