IronStone Bank to Open First Office in Austin

September 18, 2002

AUSTIN - IronStone Bank will open its first branch on Monday, Sept. 23, at 11149 Research Blvd. in the Balcones Centre in Austin, according to President Jay Parker.

"At IronStone Bank, we have exceptional service, strong products and experienced bankers who know the business and the community," Parker said. "We don't just promise to be a better bank, we deliver."

IronStone Bank associates are dedicated to building longstanding relationships with individual customers, small to mid-sized businesses, professionals and medical practitioners.

Customers of the Balcones office will have convenient access to two drive-through lanes and a walk-up ATM. Hours for the drive-through lanes are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The lobby will be open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fred White, who has 40 years of banking experience, is IronStone Bank's area executive for the Austin market. Vice President Patti Colvin, with 18 years of local banking experience, will manage the Balcones office.

The Balcones branch is the first of three new IronStone Bank locations that will open in Austin. Two downtown offices will open this fall - a full-service main office at 710 Congress Ave. in the historic Tips Building and a downtown motor bank at 814 San Jacinto Blvd. that features six drive-through lanes.

In Scottsdale, Ariz., IronStone Bank will open a main office at 7001 N. Scottsdale Road in the Scottsdale Seville Shopping Center later this year.

The bank will also open an office in the La Jolla community of San Diego. The site selected is located at 835 Pearl St. IronStone Bank plans to renovate and pen the branch in early 2003.

IronStone Bank offers a complete line of business and consumer products. Businesses can choose IronStone Bank's Business Quest checking account with an Investment Sweep and a no-fee business credit card. Among its many personal banking services, customers can get Free Checking accounts with overdraft protection and will not be charged IronStone Bank fees for using other banks' ATMs.

For more information about IronStone Bank, visit the Balcones office or the bank's Web site, www.ironstonebank.com, which will go online Monday, Sept. 23.

IronStone Bank employs associates with local experience to provide financial services to individual customers, small to mid-sized businesses, professionals and healthcare practitioners. The bank is a division of Atlantic States Bank, a federal savings bank with 41 offices in Georgia and Florida. Atlantic States is a subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares (Nasdaq: FCNCA), an $11.86 billion financial holding company based in Raleigh, N.C.

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