DAMARISCOTTA – The board of directors of the First Bancorp has declared a quarterly dividend of 19.5 cents per share. The third-quarter dividend, which is payable Oct. 31 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 6, represents an increase of 11.4 percent or 2 cents per share over the third-quarter dividend declared in 2007 of 17.5 cents per share.

The First Bancorp, headquartered in Damariscotta, is the bank holding company for The First N.A. The First is an independent community bank serving midcoast and Down East Maine with 14 offices in Lincoln, Knox, Hancock and Washington counties that provide consumer and commercial banking products and services. It also provides investment advisory and trust services.