IronStone Bank to Open First Office in Sacramento, Calif.

December 1, 2003

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - IronStone Bank is opening its first office in Sacramento on Monday, Dec. 8. The office is located on a premier site downtown at 455 Capitol Mall.

“IronStone Bank’s customer-focused approach to banking is ideal for a growing, vibrant community such as Sacramento,” said President Jay Parker. “The relationships we develop with our customers are the heart of our company. Our customers want a bank that offers superior service and works with them as a partner. That’s IronStone Bank.”

John Keller is IronStone Bank’s area executive for Sacramento and will be based at the Capitol Mall location. Brad Tangen and John Lonergan are relationship business bankers. Cris Hankins is manager of the new office.

The lobby will be open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office features a walk-up ATM. A grand-opening celebration will be held in early 2004.

IronStone Bank focuses on the small business, professional and retail markets. In the past year, the bank has opened nine offices in the western United States located in Austin, Texas; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Orange County and San Diego, Calif., and recently announced its application for entry into Colorado and New Mexico.

By the end of 2003, IronStone Bank will have six locations in California: Sacramento; San Diego area (two) and Orange County (three). An office in Newport Beach will open Dec. 15.

IronStone Bank is a division of Atlantic States Bank, a federal savings bank with 38 offices in Georgia and Florida. Atlantic States is a subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares Inc. (Nasdaq: FCNCA), a $12.4 billion financial holding company based in Raleigh, N.C.

IronStone Bank works to build longstanding relationships with individual customers, small to mid-sized businesses, professionals and the medical community. In addition to the Sacramento office, customers can access financial services through the bank’s Customer Contact Center toll free at 1-866-IB DIRECT (1-866-423-4732) and through the Internet at ironstonebank.com.

Barbara Thompson
(919) 716-2716
First Citizens Bank