First Citizens Bank Jackson Area to Celebrate Amazing Customer Appreciation Day

September 27, 2002

SYLVA, N.C. - First Citizens Bank branches in the six-county Jackson area of Western North Carolina will celebrate an Amazing Customer Appreciation Day on Friday, Oct. 4.

The bank's 11 offices in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties will show appreciation for their customers by holding activities throughout the day and commemorating the fall season.

"First Citizens is proud of the relationships we've made with our customers," said Area Executive Kevin Wells. "Our appreciation day is a great way to say 'thank you' to them and celebrate the start of autumn in Western North Carolina. First Citizens is here to stay, and we will continue to deliver our amazing brand of customer-focused banking for many years to come."

Among the day's events are free refreshments and hot dogs lunches, various prize drawings from gift certificates to golf packages and fun activities for children, such as bobbing for apples and a drawing contest.

The following is a list of First Citizens branches in the Jackson area and a summary of their Amazing Customer Appreciation Day activities:

• Bryson City, 51 Main Street - The branch will serve fresh cookies all day. Free hot dog lunch will be provided from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drawings include prizes from local merchants Charleston Station and Calbys.
  
  
• Cherokee Crossing, 111 Cherokee Crossing - Baked goods, punch and soft drinks served throughout the day. Drawings will be held for three prizes: a $50 savings bond, a gift certificate to a local restaurant and a gift basket.
  
  
• Cherokee-Main, 701 Tsali Boulevard - Baked goods, apple cider and soft drinks served all day. The branch will hold three prize drawings: a $50 savings bond, a gift certificate to a local restaurant and a gift basket.
  
  
• Franklin-Main, 41 Iotla Street - The branch will serve biscuits in the morning and barbecue sandwiches starting at 11 a.m. Drawings for prizes will be held at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Prizes include a wood-carved bear from Misty Mountain Woodcrafters, a gift card for Lowe's Home Improvement and a gift certificate to The Chef and His Wife Restaurant.
  
  
• Franklin-Westgate, 114 Westgate Plaza Road - The branch will serve hot dogs, soft drinks and chips starting at 11 a.m. Baked goods and apples will be available all day. Visitors can register for gift drawings. Children can bob for apples and participate in a drawing contest.
  
  
• Hayesville, 36 U.S. 64 East - The branch will serve hot dogs, soft drinks and chips starting at 11 a.m. and offer a number of prize drawings, including a recliner from Eller & Owens Furniture, a gift certificate from Chatuge Shores golf course and dinner for two at local restaurant Country Cottage. The drawings will be held at 5 p.m.
  
  
• Highlands, 615 N. Fourth Street - Hot dogs, soft drinks and chips will be served starting at noon. Candy and small prizes provided for children and other visitors to the office.
  
  
• Murphy Main, 22 Hiawassee Street - Hot dogs, soft drinks and chips will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Customers who use the drive-through lanes will receive a free apple. Visitors to the branch can enter to win one of four rounds of golf along with a set of golf balls, tees and a golf towel.
  
  
• Murphy-Peachtree, 4591 U.S. 64 East - Hot dogs, soft drinks and chips served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drawings for prizes include a golf package, hand-crafted gift from John C. Campbell Folk School and more.
  
  
• Robbinsville, 248 Rodney Orr Bypass - The branch's theme is "Harvest Celebration-Celebrating Our Customers." Homemade refreshments and small gifts available for adults and children during the day. One grand prize drawing will be held for a surprise gift.
  
  
• Sylva, 609 West Main Street - Free breakfast will be provided by McDonald's starting at 9 a.m. Then at 11 a.m., free pizza will be served from Pizza Hut. Caramel apples and fresh apple cake will be served all day. A drawing for several prizes will be held at 5:30 p.m. Prizes include a home interior print, tickets to the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, gift certificates to local restaurants, a car wash and a driving range.

First Citizens' Amazing Customer Appreciation Day is an example of the bank's promise to provide amazing service and exceed customer expectations. The expression "Do Something Amazing" reflects the bank's 104-year tradition of caring for its customers and helping them be successful.

Founded in 1898, First Citizens operates 342 branches in more than 200 cities and towns in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Headquartered in Raleigh, the bank has $11.86 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:
Frank Smith
(919) 716-4121
First Citizens BancShares