Rachel Smith Joins First Citizens as Vice President and Relationship Manager in Columbia

February 6, 2008

Columbia, S.C. – February 5, 2008 – First Citizens is pleased to welcome Rachel Smith to its banking team. Smith will serve as vice president and relationship manager at the Rosewood branch in Columbia. In this role, She is responsible for anticipating and meeting the needs of First Citizens’ consumer and small-business customers by identifying and recommending the best products for those needs, as well as building and enhancing customers’ overall relationships with the bank. Smith will be based at the 2600 Rosewood Drive branch.

Prior to joining First Citizens, Smith served as vice president and branch manager for Carolina First Bank. She is a graduate the University of South Carolina with a degree in accounting and is currently attending the South Carolina Bankers School. Smith is a member of the Forest Acres Restaurant and Merchants Association.

About First Citizens

First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc., is the parent company of First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc., and The Exchange Bank of South Carolina, Inc. First Citizens Bank offers services in commercial and retail banking through its 166 offices in South Carolina and Georgia. As of Dec. 31, 2007, First Citizens Bancorporation had total consolidated assets of $6.08 billion. For more information, visit the First Citizens web site at www.firstcitizensonline.com.