First Citizens Bank Launches FreeMoney Bonus Program

RALEIGH, N.C., March 30, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Citizens Bank announced
today a first-of-its-kind program that gives "free money" bonuses to eligible
customers who make frequent check card purchases.

First Citizens FreeMoney(sm) Bonus Program is a new checking account-based
program that rewards customers when they use their personal Visa(r) Check Card
for non-PIN (sometimes referred to as a credit or signature) transactions. Once
a monthly qualifier is met, the bank deposits $1 for each eligible transaction
of $25 or more into a client's special savings account.

"Unlike other check card programs, every $1 bonus is on us -- First Citizens
Bank," said Doug Sprecher, First Citizens' Manager of Sales and Service
Delivery. "What sets the FreeMoney program apart is that customers use our
money, not theirs, to save -- so it gives them another opportunity to build
their savings in this tough economy."

According to Sprecher, First Citizens' FreeMoney program is ideal for clients
who are considering opening a new checking account, who use their check card
frequently and who want to switch to a bank that they trust for safety and
soundness.

The program works as follows:

* To enroll, clients must open or have a First Citizens personal
checking account and then open a FreeMoney Bonus Savings
Account.

* FreeMoney clients must make a certain number of non-PIN
transactions each month before they can qualify for the
FreeMoney dollars.

* Once clients meet their monthly qualifiers, they earn one
bonus dollar for every non-PIN check card transaction of
$25.00 or more for the remainder of that statement cycle.
The dollars earned are then deposited into the customers'
Bonus Savings Accounts.
Starting this week, First Citizens will begin advertising the FreeMoney Bonus
Program throughout its markets. Additional information is available on the
bank's Web site, firstcitizens.com/freemoney. To get started, customers can also
stop by any First Citizens office during regular business hours or call 1.877.5
FCB NOW (1.877.532.2669) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, or 8
a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

First Citizens Bank is the recipient of five-star superior rankings by two
independent banking rating firms: BauerFinancial Inc. of Coral Gables, Fla.
(Bauerfinancial.com) and Bankrate.com. BauerFinancial's rating, the highest
given by the firm, is based on the overall financial picture of the institution
and indicates that First Citizens is one of the strongest banks in the nation.
Bankrate.com's Safe & Sound(r) superior rating indicates that, as of September
30, 2008, Raleigh, N.C.-headquartered First Citizens Bank "exhibited a superior
condition, characterized by normal overall, sustainable profitability, a very
high measure of asset quality, very strong capitalization and ample liquidity."

Founded in 1898, First Citizens operates 345 branches in North Carolina,
Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland. The bank is a major subsidiary
of First Citizens BancShares Inc. (Nasdaq:FCNCA), which has $16.7 billion in
assets. First Citizens 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).

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CONTACT: First Citizens Bank
Barbara Thompson
919.716.2716