IronStone Bank Announces Plans For Solana Beach, Calif. Office

April 30, 2003

SOLANA BEACH, CALIF. - Jay Parker, president of IronStone Bank, today announced that the bank plans to expand into Solana Beach, Calif.

The new Solana Beach office at the intersection of North Solana Hills Drive and Lomas Santa Fe Drive is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2004 and will be the bank's third office in San Diego County. The bank is seeking regulatory approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision to open at the site, 706 Lomas Santa Fe Drive.

“We're looking forward to developing long-lasting relationships with the people and businesses of Solana Beach,” Parker said. “This is an outstanding community, and our pledge to deliver exceptional service and a better banking experience fits perfectly here.”

IronStone will open its first San Diego office May 5 at 8650 Genesee Ave. in the Costa Verde Shopping Center. The second area office will open later this summer at 835 Pearl St. in La Jolla.

San Diego will be the first California community for IronStone Bank. The bank has also announced plans to expand into Orange County and Sacramento. It has already opened offices in Austin, Texas, and Scottsdale, Ariz.

IronStone Bank delivers exceptional service and comprehensive personal and business banking products. Consumers can get Free Checking accounts with overdraft protection and will not be charged IronStone Bank fees for using other banks’ ATMs. The bank's products for businesses include the Business Quest checking account with an Investment Sweep and a no-fee business credit card.

IronStone Bank associates are dedicated to building long-lasting relationships with families, small to mid-sized businesses, professionals and the medical community. The bank is a division of Atlantic States Bank, a federally chartered thrift institution with 39 offices in Georgia and Florida. Atlantic States is a subsidiary of Raleigh, N.C.-based First Citizens BancShares Inc. (Nasdaq: FCNCA), one of the 100 largest financial holding companies in the United States with $12.39 billion in assets. For more information, visit ironstonebank.com.

Barbara Thompson
(919) 716-2716
First Citizens Bank