First Citizens Bank to Open New Six Forks Office

North Hills branch to relocate; office to house bank's Wake area executive management

July 25, 2001

RALEIGH, N.C.— First Citizens Bank will open its landmark office building at the intersection of Six Forks and Lassiter Mill roads on Monday, July 30.

The 24,000-square-foot building will house a full-service branch and contain offices for Wake area executive management. The First Citizens branch at North Hills Plaza will relocate to the first floor of the new building and open to the public on July 30. The bank's Wake area administration will move to the office later this fall.

"This building symbolizes First Citizens' long-term commitment to Wake County and our stability in a competitive marketplace," said Angie Dowd, Wake area executive. "Raleigh's extraordinary growth has made this site in North Hills a premier location. First Citizens has been in business 103 years, and we want people to know we're here to stay. This new office will help us continue to deliver our customer-friendly brand of banking for many years to come."

The building has been constructed in the Classical Revival architectural style that ties the building to the design consistently used in other new First Citizens' branches.

"Throughout our markets, First Citizens is committed to building attractive buildings that contribute to the communities we call home," said Doug Sprecher, central market executive for the Wake area. "While the Six Forks office features a striking design, the bottom line is that it will allow us to do what we do best—develop relationships with our customers and provide excellent service, products and technology to help them meet their financial goals."

The distinctive round structure was designed by world-renowned artist and architect, Ptolemy Dean of London. According to Dean, the building's circular form, its stucco finish and recessed windows maximize the effects of light and shade.

One unique feature is the walkway bridge at the corner of Six Forks and Lassiter Mill roads. Three drive-through lanes are concealed beneath this bridge that connects the street level to the building. Another special element is the circular skylight in the domed ceiling. Inside, the building's four-story stucco lobby gives the impression of standing in a European courtyard.

In addition to the bank branch on the first floor, the building features offices for area operations management, commercial banking and area executive management on the second through fourth floors.

Office hours will be Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A free-standing ATM and night depository are located in the rear parking lot.

A grand-opening ceremony to dedicate the new building will be held later in the fall.

Besides the new Six Forks building, First Citizens has opened three Wake County branches in the last two years, bringing the total number of branches to 27 in the county. The bank opened its Cary Weston office in November 1999, its Wakefield office in northern Wake County in June 2000 and its first Apex branch in January 2001.

First Citizens employs 5,000 associates with more than 1,500 in Wake County, including those in corporate offices.

Customers can also bank with First Citizens through its telephone banking service and a network of ATMs. In addition, firstcitizens.com online banking gives customers safe and easy access to their accounts through the bank's Internet site.

Founded in 1898, First Citizens operates 360 branches in 204 cities and towns in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Headquartered in Raleigh, the bank has $11.29 billion in assets. First Citizens Bank is committed to providing superior financial services to individual customers and small to mid-sized businesses. For more information about First Citizens Bank and its services, visit firstcitizens.com or call toll-free 1-888-FC DIRECT (1-888-323-4732).

For more information, contact:
Barbara Thompson
(919) 716-2716
First Citizens Bank