RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Citizens Bank ranked second in the Southeast region in customer satisfaction when it comes to the retail banking experience, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Retail Banking Satisfaction Study^SM. The bank achieved an overall satisfaction score of 817 on a 1,000-point scale — 65 points higher than the regional average.

"At First Citizens, our commitment to helping people achieve their financial goals has endured for more than a century," said Frank B. Holding Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of First Citizens Bank. "Customers value the dedicated, personal service of our local professionals, our bank's dedication to financial safety and soundness and the full spectrum of high quality products and services we provide. We work hard every day to put our customers first and it shows."

First Citizens performed above the regional average in these factors that measure satisfaction with the retail banking experience: account activities, facility, product offerings, account information and customer fee satisfaction, the factor in which the bank received the highest regional marks. For specific information about First Citizens' ranking in the J.D. Power study, visit www.jdpower.com/microsites/firstcitizens.

"We're particularly proud of our strong performance. We always strive to provide the highest quality service — whether in our branches, online, through our ATM network or in the many other ways our clients bank with us," Holding said.

The J.D. Power 2012 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study^SMwas conducted in 11 regions nationwide. The states comprising the Southeast region include North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. In total, 16 banking institutions were profiled in the Southeast region.

"The high scores we received in the J.D. Power study are due in great measure to the diligent efforts of our associates, who uphold our company's high expectations for excellence and are committed to delivering the very best possible service to our clients," Holding said.

Founded in 1898, First Citizens Bank serves clients at 416 offices in 17 states and the District of Columbia. The bank is a major subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares Inc. (Nasdaq:FCNCA), which has $21 billion in assets. Forbes named BancShares the ninth-best bank in the nation in its 2012 Best Banks in America list.

Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., First Citizens has received multiple national awards for customer satisfaction and overall stability and security, including a five-star superior ranking by independent banking rating firm BauerFinancial Inc. of Coral Gables, Fla. (Bauerfinancial.com), and Greenwich Excellence awards for business banking services. For more information about First Citizens Bank, call toll free 1-888-FC DIRECT (1-888-323-4732) or visit firstcitizens.com.

CONTACT: Barbara Thompson
         First Citizens Bank
         919.716.2716