Our company was founded as the Bank of Smithfield with just $10,000 of capital. We were Johnston County's sole bank and served primarily agricultural customers. Steady growth quickly became our hallmark.

After 17 years of astute leadership, R.P. Holding was elected president and chairman of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company. The bank's branch network stretched beyond Smithfield to Raleigh and into Eastern North Carolina.

Upon the death of R.P. Holding, leadership passed to his three sons, the second generation of Holdings, who were all under 32 years old—Chairman Robert Holding, Jr. (standing), President Lewis R. Holding (right) and Vice President Frank B. Holding (left).

In the 1970s, we opened branches across North Carolina. By 1974, we had moved our headquarters from Smithfield to Raleigh, and our assets surpassed $1 billion.

First Citizens began operating our first-ever branches outside of our home state of North Carolina when we acquired a bank based in West Virginia.

We chartered and launched a federal thrift subsidiary, Atlantic States Bank, to serve the Atlanta market. Atlantic States was the predecessor of the former IronStone Bank, which launched our eventual coast-to-coast expansion.

During the great recession, First Citizens remained safe and stable and entered new markets, while keeping an eye on the long term. Frank B. Holding, Jr. was elected Chairman of First Citizens in 2009. He, along with his sister Vice Chairwoman Hope Holding Bryant, represent the third generation of Holding family leadership.

In 2013 we launched our Forever First brand, reinforcing the promise that the principles instilled by R.P. Holding will continue to guide First Citizens for generations. We understand the financial decisions you make today will shape the way you live for decades. And we plan to be with you, every step of the way.

We first joined together with nonprofit Teen Cancer America and The Who's Roger Daltrey to help open the door to better cancer care for young adults. This mission continues as we partner with local hospitals.

Our merger with CIT marked a major milestone for First Citizens and established us as a top 20 US bank based on asset size. Joining forces enables us to serve a broader spectrum of businesses and individuals, while offering even more convenience, scale and value.

Today, the finest bankers and support staff in the financial industry fulfill our Forever First promise to our clients. Working together, we're growing and prospering, and helping our customers do the same, in vibrant markets from coast to coast.