April 8, 2002

RALEIGH, N.C. — Atlantic States Bank, a subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares Inc., announced today that it plans to expand into the Austin, Texas, market.

Atlantic States is seeking regulatory approval to open in Austin and has selected sites for its first two branches.

The branch sites are located at 710 Congress Ave. (as the proposed main office) in the historic Tips Building near the state capitol and 11149 Research Blvd. in Balcones Centre. Atlantic States plans to renovate and open both offices later this year.

Jim Pope, president of Atlantic States Bank, will announce members of the local management team in the coming months.

Atlantic States Bank focuses on serving individual customers, professionals and small to mid-sized businesses, a successful formula for its markets in Georgia and Florida. Atlantic States is a federal savings bank with 44 offices in Metro Atlanta, Southwest Florida, Southeast Florida and North Florida. For more information about Atlantic States Bank, call toll free 1-800-AS DIRECT (1-800-273-4732) or visit the Internet site at atlanticstatesbank.com.

First Citizens BancShares (Nasdaq: FCNCA) is an $11.86 billion financial holding company based in Raleigh, N.C. BancShares' two major subsidiaries are Atlantic States Bank and 104- year-old First Citizens Bank with 348 branches in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

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