First Citizens Bank to Open Nashville Office Oct. 24

John Bennett named Area Executive for Middle Tennessee

October 18, 2005

NASHVILLE - First Citizens Bank will open its first Nashville office on Monday, Oct. 24, and has hired local banker John Bennett to lead the new market.

First Citizens, the principal subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares Inc. (Nasdaq: FCNCA), has renovated leased space for its new bank branch in downtown Nashville at 1534 Demonbreun St.

“First Citizens’ focus on small businesses, medical and professional clients, as well as retail customers, is a great fit for Nashville,” said Bob Roberts, First Citizens’ region executive vice president for Tennessee and Western North Carolina. “We’re extremely excited about building long-term customer relationships here in Tennessee.”

Bennett has been named First Citizens area executive for the bank’s Middle Tennessee market. He will oversee the bank’s operations and business development efforts in the area. He most recently served as a business banking officer at National Bank of Commerce (now SunTrust). His experience includes retail, commercial and private banking during his 10-year banking career. Bennett is a Nashville area resident and a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville.

“We are extremely excited to have someone of John’s caliber leading the way for First Citizens’ entry into Nashville,” Roberts said. “He has experience in virtually every facet of banking and management and has extensive knowledge of the market.”

Bennett is actively involved in the local community. He is president-elect of the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of its building committee. He serves as chairman of the Business Management Advisory Committee for Nashville State Community College. He is a member of the community advisory council for the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System and an associate member of the Country Music Association.

Bennett said he is excited about the customer-oriented brand of banking that First Citizens is bringing to Tennessee. “It’s a company that works hard to develop strong partnerships to help individuals and customers achieve their financial goals,” Bennett said. The bank will announce other members of the local management team in the coming weeks.

First Citizens’ financial center is located in a premier area of downtown Nashville close to the State Capitol, Vanderbilt University and Interstate 40. The branch will offer individual and business banking services, as well as trust, insurance and wealth management services. Hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The 5,700-square-foot office also has an ATM and a night depository.

Founded in 1898, First Citizens operates 340 branches in more than 200 cities and towns in Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The bank’s first office in Maryland is also scheduled to open later this year.

First Citizens BancShares has $14.02 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).

Barbara Thompson
(919) 716-2716
First Citizens Bank