UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 21, 2014

BANK OF THE CAROLINAS CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (336) 751-5755

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

(a) On August 21, 2014, Bank of the Carolinas Corporation (the “Company”) advised Turlington and Company, L.L.P. (“Turlington”), that it was dismissed as its independent registered public accounting firm. Turlington’s reports on the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2013 and 2012 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to audit scope or accounting principles. However, the 2013 and 2012 reports did raise substantial doubt as to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The decision to change accountants was recommended and approved by the audit committee of the board of directors of the Company. During the fiscal years ending December 31, 2013 and 2012 and during the three- and six-month periods ending March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, there were no disagreements with Turlington on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedures which disagreements, if not resolved to Turlington’s satisfaction, would have caused Turlington to make reference thereto in its reports on the financial statements for such periods.

The Company has complied with Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K.

(b) On September 15, 2014, the Company appointed Cherry Bekaert LLP (“Cherry Bekaert”) as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014. The Company has not consulted with Cherry Bekaert during the last two fiscal years ending December 31, 2013 or 2012, or during any subsequent interim period preceding the date hereof, on the application of accounting principles to a specific contemplated or completed transaction, the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, or any matter that was the subject of a “disagreement” or “reportable event” as such terms are described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and (v) of Regulation S-K.

(d) Exhibits.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: September 17, 2014

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