FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES INC /DE/ (FCNCA)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of earnings and related financial data is presented to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (the “Parent Company” and, when including all of its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, “we,” “us,” “our,” or “BancShares”) and its banking subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (“FCB”). Unless otherwise noted, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “BancShares” in this section refer to the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations for BancShares.

This MD&A is expected to provide our investors with a view of our financial condition and results of operations from our management’s perspective. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes presented within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”), along with our consolidated financial statements and related MD&A of financial condition and results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (the “2025 Form 10-K”). Throughout this MD&A, references to a specific “Note” refer to Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) in Item 1. Financial Statements.

Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Refer to Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation for further information.

Management uses certain financial measures that are not presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) in its analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of BancShares. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measurements" section of this MD&A for a reconciliation of these financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

The Parent Company is a bank holding company (“BHC”) and financial holding company. The Parent Company is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) under the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Parent Company is also registered under the BHC laws of North Carolina and is subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks (the “NCCOB”). BancShares conducts its banking operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, FCB, a state-chartered bank organized under the laws of the state of North Carolina. FCB is regulated by the NCCOB. In addition, FCB, as an insured depository institution, is supervised by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).

BancShares provides financial services for a wide range of consumer and commercial clients. BancShares offers deposit products, loans, and wealth management and private banking services to consumer clients. BancShares provides lending, leasing, capital markets and other financial and advisory services, to small and middle-market companies across a variety of industries. Additionally, BancShares provides a full suite of financial products and services to private equity firms, venture capital firms, and commercial clients in innovation markets, such as technology, life sciences and healthcare industries. BancShares also provides deposit, cash management and lending to homeowner associations and property management companies and owns a fleet of railcars and locomotives that are leased to railroads and shippers.

BancShares delivers banking products and services to its customers through an extensive branch network and additionally operates a nationwide digital banking platform that delivers deposit products to consumers (the “Direct Bank”). Services offered at most branches include accepting deposits, cashing checks and providing for consumer and commercial cash needs. Consumer and business customers may also conduct banking transactions through various digital channels.

In addition to our banking operations, we provide various investment products and services through FCB’s wholly owned subsidiaries, including First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. (“FCIS”), First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. (“FCAM”), and First Citizens Delaware Trust Company, and a non-bank subsidiary, First Citizens Capital Securities, LLC (“FCCS”). As a registered broker-dealer, FCIS provides a full range of investment products, including annuities, brokerage services and third-party mutual funds. As registered investment advisers, FCIS and FCAM provide investment management services and advice. FCCS is a broker-dealer that also provides underwriting and private placement services. We also have other wholly owned subsidiaries, including SVB Wealth LLC, SVB Asset Management, and First Citizens Institutional Asset Management, LLC, which are active investment advisers.

Refer to Note 18—Segment Information for further information regarding the products and services we provide.

Refer to the 2025 Form 10-K for a discussion of our strategy.

56

Recent Events

Equity Transactions

Share Repurchase Programs

During the second quarter of 2026, we repurchased 298,907 shares of our Class A common stock for $600 million and paid a dividend of $2.10 per share on our Class A and Class B common stock. Shares repurchased during the second quarter of 2026 represented 2.80% of Class A common stock and 2.56% of total Class A and Class B common stock outstanding at March 31, 2026. From inception of the 2024 share repurchase program (“2024 SRP”) through June 30, 2026, we repurchased 3,141,855 shares of our Class A common stock for $6.19 billion, representing 23.23% of Class A common stock and 21.62% of total Class A and Class B common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2024.

From July 1, 2026 through July 31, 2026, BancShares repurchased an additional 97,287 shares of Class A common stock for a total of $206 million and had total capacity remaining under the current share repurchase program (the “2025 SRP”) of $1.11 billion as of July 31, 2026.

Refer to Part II, Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds for second quarter 2026 monthly repurchase activity of Class A common stock.

Preferred Stock Issuance

On February 5, 2026, the Parent Company issued and sold 6.625% non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, series E for a total of $400 million. Refer to Note 13—Stockholders' Equity for further information, including depositary shares and liquidation preference.

Debt Transactions

Prepayments of the Purchase Money Note

In connection with the SVBB Acquisition (as defined in Note 2—Business Combinations), FCB issued a five-year $36.07 billion note payable to the FDIC, maturing March 27, 2028 (the “Purchase Money Note”). The Purchase Money Note had a carrying value of $28.42 billion and $33.39 billion at June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. During the current quarter, we prepaid $2.50 billion of the Purchase Money Note which resulted in a $7 million loss on extinguishment of debt. During the six months ended June 30, 2026, we prepaid $5.00 billion of the Purchase Money Note which resulted in a $15 million loss on extinguishment of debt. The outstanding balance of the Purchase Money Note declined from $35.85 billion at September 30, 2025 to $28.42 billion at June 30, 2026. Additionally, we prepaid $1.00 billion in July 2026. We will continue to monitor the interest rate environment, FCB’s collateral position for the Purchase Money Note, and FCB’s liquidity position to determine the timing and magnitude of further voluntary prepayments. We expect monthly prepayments to be at least $500 million throughout 2026. In the third quarter of 2026, we expect total prepayments of $6 billion to $8 billion, largely driven by expected liquidity from the BMO Branch Acquisition (as defined in Note 2—Business Combinations).

Debt Issuances

Debt issuances through June 30, 2026 of $1.25 billion include the following:

•On June 24, 2026, FCB issued and sold $750 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.097% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Senior Notes due in 2029 (the “Current Quarter Debt Issuance”).

•On March 3, 2026, the Parent Company issued and sold $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.869% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Senior Notes due in 2032 in a public offering.

On August 3, 2026, FCB issued and sold an additional $400 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.097% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Senior Notes due in 2029.

SBA Securitization

On June 29, 2026, we completed the SBA Securitization (as defined in Note 9—Variable Interest Entities) of SBA commercial loans held for sale totaling $363 million in amortized cost, resulting in a gain of $3 million.

Loan Sale

In April 2026, residential mortgage loans held for sale totaling $644 million in amortized cost were sold and we recognized a gain of $1 million as further discussed in Note 4—Assets Held for Sale.

Sale of Tax Credit Investments

In May 2026, we sold $161 million of tax credit investments and recognized a pretax gain of $17 million. Refer to Note 9—Variable Interest Entities for further discussion.

57

Pending Branch Acquisition

On October 16, 2025, FCB announced the BMO Branch Acquisition to acquire 138 branches from BMO Bank N.A. located throughout the Midwest, Great Plains and West regions of the U.S. We expect to assume approximately $5.3 billion in deposits and acquire approximately $700 million in loans. We expect the transaction to be completed during the third quarter of 2026.

Commercial Banking Brand Alignment

On April 23, 2026, FCB announced plans to expand its commercial banking capabilities and align brand names in the fourth quarter of 2026. Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”), a division of FCB, will rebrand as First Citizens Innovation Banking and First Citizens Fund Banking. CIT Commercial Services and the Silicon Valley Bank Wine division will rebrand as FCB.

Recent Economic, Industry and Regulatory Developments

Economic conditions reflected heightened uncertainty in 2026, as inflationary pressures, due in part to global energy constraints related to the conflicts in the Middle East, contributed to market volatility. We continue to monitor these developments and the broader macroeconomic environment; however, the ultimate effects remain uncertain and dependent on future events.

Entering 2026, the benchmark federal funds range was between 3.50% - 3.75%. During the 2026 Federal Open Market Committee meetings through July, the benchmark federal funds rate was left unchanged.

The U.S. government announced changes to its trade policies in 2025 and significantly increased tariffs on certain imports under emergency authorities, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (the “IEEPA”). In February 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. The current tariff environment remains dynamic and uncertain, including with respect to replacement measures under other legal authorities. We continue to closely monitor both the impact and potential impact of such measures on our business, our customers and on overall economic conditions in the United States.

On March 19, 2026, federal banking regulators issued revised notices of proposed rulemaking to implement the final components of the Basel III accords (the “Basel III proposals”). The proposals include revisions and streamlining of the expanded risk-based approach (the “ERBA”). The proposals require the ERBA for Category I and Category II firms and allow all other banking organizations, including Category III and Category IV firms, to elect the ERBA. The proposals include a revised standardized approach for calculating risk-weighted assets applicable to all other banking organizations, including Category III and Category IV firms, that do not elect the ERBA.

[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of earnings and related financial data is presented to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of BancShares. Unless otherwise noted, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “BancShares” in this MD&A refer to our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

This MD&A is expected to provide our investors with a view of our financial condition and results of operations from our management’s perspective. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Throughout this MD&A, references to a specific “Note” refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Although certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform with financial statement presentations for 2025, the reclassifications had no effect on stockholders’ equity or net income as previously reported. Refer to Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation.

Management uses certain financial measures that are not presented in accordance with GAAP in its analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of BancShares. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measurements" section of this MD&A for a reconciliation of these financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP.

Comparisons of the financial data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are contained in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of BancShares’ Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the “2024 Form 10-K”) filed with the SEC on February 21, 2025 and available through our investor relations website ir.firstcitizens.com or the SEC’s EDGAR database.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Key Strategic Objectives

BancShares defines strategic priorities to further our vision and align goals to enhance productivity while focusing on risk management throughout the organization. Our strategic priorities center around the themes summarized below.

•Client Focus

▪Expand and grow our capabilities and products while harnessing the scale of the enterprise and maintaining a client-first focus.

•Talent and Culture

▪Attract, retain and develop associates who align with our long-term direction and culture while scaling for continued growth.

•Operational Efficiency

▪Optimize processes and systems to reduce organizational complexity and maximize productivity.

▪Continue to streamline systems to simplify our information technology operating environment and improve our data infrastructure.

•Balance Sheet Optimization

▪Manage our balance sheet prudently to optimize our funding and liquidity profile while driving core deposit growth and enhancing returns.

41

Recent Events

Equity Transactions

Share Repurchase Programs

On July 25, 2025, BancShares announced that the Board authorized the 2025 SRP, which allows BancShares to repurchase shares of its Class A common stock in an aggregate amount up to $4.0 billion through December 31, 2026. Repurchases under the 2025 SRP commenced in September 2025 upon the completion of the $3.5 billion 2024 SRP announced in July 2024. During 2025, BancShares repurchased $3.03 billion of its Class A common stock in aggregate under the 2024 SRP and the 2025 SRP. The total capacity remaining under the 2025 SRP was $2.81 billion as of December 31, 2025 and $2.37 billion as of February 13, 2026.

Refer to Part II, Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities for additional information regarding repurchases of Class A common stock.

Preferred Stock Issuances

On November 18, 2025, the Parent Company issued and sold 7.000% non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, series D, for a total of $500 million. In February 2026, the Parent Company issued and sold 6.625% non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, series E for a total of $400 million. Refer to Note 15—Stockholders' Equity for further information, including depositary shares and liquidation preference.

Debt Transactions

Partial Prepayments of the Purchase Money Note

In connection with the SVBB Acquisition (as defined and described in Note 2—Business Combinations), FCB issued a five-year, 3.50% fixed rate Purchase Money Note (as defined in Note 2—Business Combinations), which had a carrying value of $33.39 billion and $35.82 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. During December 2025, FCB prepaid $2.49 billion of the Purchase Money Note (the “Partial Prepayment of the Purchase Money Note”), which resulted in a $9 million loss on extinguishment of debt. We will continue to monitor the interest rate environment and FCB’s collateral position for the Purchase Money Note and assess further prepayments as discussed below in the Funding, Liquidity and Capital Overview. In both January 2026 and February 2026, we made additional prepayments of approximately $500 million.

Debt Redemption

On June 15, 2025, the Parent Company executed a callable feature and redeemed all $350 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due in 2030 (when combined with the Purchase Money Note Partial Prepayment, the “2025 Debt Redemptions”).

Debt Issuances

The Parent Company issued and sold the following during 2025 (together the “2025 Debt Issuances”) in public offerings:

•On September 5, 2025, $600 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.600% Fixed Rate Reset Subordinated Notes due in 2035, and

•On March 12, 2025, $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.231% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Senior Notes due in 2031 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.254% Fixed-to-Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes due in 2040.

Pending Branch Acquisition

On October 16, 2025, FCB announced the BMO Branch Acquisition to acquire 138 branches from BMO Bank N.A. located throughout the Midwest, Great Plains and West regions of the U.S. In connection with the BMO Branch Acquisition, FCB expects to assume approximately $5.7 billion in deposit liabilities and acquire approximately $1.1 billion in loans. We expect the transaction to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing terms and conditions and regulatory approvals.

Termination of the Shared-Loss Agreement with the FDIC

On April 7, 2025, FCB and the FDIC entered into an agreement (the “Shared-Loss Termination Agreement”) to terminate the Shared-Loss Agreement (as defined in Note 2—Business Combinations). As a result of entering into the Shared-Loss Termination Agreement, all rights and obligations of the parties under the Shared-Loss Agreement terminated as of the date of the Shared-Loss Termination Agreement, including FCB’s reporting covenants and obligations related to FDIC Loss Sharing and FCB reimbursement (each as defined in Note 2—Business Combinations). The decision to enter into the Shared-Loss Termination Agreement was motivated, in part, by FCB’s determination that the likelihood of reaching the $5 billion loss threshold during the five-year period covered by the Shared-Loss Agreement was remote. Additionally, the Shared-Loss Termination Agreement eliminated the reporting responsibilities associated with the Shared-Loss Agreement. There was no impact to our consolidated balance sheets or statements of income resulting from the Shared-Loss Termination Agreement

42

because there was no loss indemnification asset or true-up liability associated with the Shared-Loss Agreement, primarily based on evaluation of historical loss experience and the credit quality of the Covered Assets (as defined in Note 2—Business Combinations).

The impacts to the Risk-Based Capital Ratios resulting from the Shared-Loss Termination Agreement are discussed in the “Capital” section of this MD&A.

Financial Reporting Updates

Changes to Reportable Segments

As of December 31, 2025, our reportable segments included the General Bank, the Commercial Bank, and Rail. All other financial information not included in the segments is reported in the Corporate section of the segment disclosures. During 2025, we made the following Segment Reporting Updates:

•All components previously reported in the SVB Commercial segment and certain components of the General Bank segment were consolidated into the Commercial Bank segment.

•We made minor updates to our segment expense allocations.

Segment disclosures for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 included in this Form 10-K were recast to conform with the Segment Reporting Updates summarized above.

Loan Class Changes

At December 31, 2025, our commercial loan classes included: commercial and industrial, capital call lines, owner occupied commercial mortgage, investor dependent, and commercial real estate, while our consumer loan classes included: residential mortgage, revolving mortgage, auto, and other consumer.

During 2025, we changed our loan classes (“Loan Class Changes”) from the loan classes in the 2024 Form 10-K. The Loan Class Changes recast capital call lines and commercial real estate into separate loan classes, and recast SVB loan classes into the commercial loan classes. Additionally, investor dependent - early stage and investor dependent - growth stage were combined into a single investor dependent loan class.

The Loan Class Changes are further discussed in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation. Loan and lease and ALLL disclosures for all periods presented in this Form 10-K were recast to reflect the Loan Class Changes.

Recent Economic, Industry and Regulatory Developments

Entering 2025, the FOMC had reduced the benchmark federal funds rate to a range between 4.25% - 4.50% and maintained this level until its September meeting. During each of its September, October and December meetings in 2025, the FOMC reduced the benchmark federal funds rate by a quarter-point, to a range between 3.50% - 3.75% as of December 31, 2025. During the January 2026 FOMC meeting, the benchmark federal funds rate was left unchanged.

The U.S. government announced changes to its trade policies in 2025 and significantly increased tariffs on certain imports under emergency authorities, including IEEPA. In February 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. The current tariff environment remains dynamic and uncertain, including regarding potential refunds of tariffs paid under IEEPA, and the U.S. government could respond with replacement measures under other legal authorities. We continue to closely monitor both the impact and potential impact of such measures on our business, our customers and on overall economic conditions in the United States.

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law H.R. 1, referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “OBBBA”). The OBBBA contains several provisions that impact corporate taxation. The enactment of the OBBBA did not have a material impact on our tax rate or results of operations.

Financial Performance Summary

The following tables in this MD&A include financial data as of and for the year ended December 31, 2025 (the “current year”), December 31, 2024 (the “prior year”) and December 31, 2023. We focus the discussion of our financial position by comparing balances as of December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2024. Percent changes within this MD&A are based on unrounded amounts and may not recalculate precisely using the displayed rounded balances.

43

Table 1

Selected Financial Data

[Excerpt truncated for page length; the complete text is on the linked full-MD&A page.]