RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 14, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Citizens Bank has been honored with three distinguished Greenwich Excellence Awards for Middle Market Banking for services provided to business customers.
"These awards are a testament to the quality and breadth of business services that First Citizens Bank provides its customers," said Hope Connell, manager of First Citizens' Business Banking Segment. "Our bankers work hard to develop longstanding, mutually beneficial relationships with individuals, professionals and business owners, and these honors signify that our customers recognize the consistent and diligent effort we put forward on their behalf."
The bank won:
-- Overall Satisfaction with Business Services - national winner
-- Overall Satisfaction with Business Services - South regional
winner
-- Overall Satisfaction with Treasury Management Services - South
regional winner
"First Citizens' business customers gave the bank strong ratings, which indicate the high caliber of service the bank provides," said Greenwich Associates consultant Ron Balmer. "In today's difficult economic environment, companies are seeking out institutions like First Citizens that are responsive to their financial needs and offer stability."
In two main categories, Overall Satisfaction with a Bank's Business Services and Overall Satisfaction for Business and Treasury Services, First Citizens received high marks both nationally and regionally.
"It's a real privilege to be honored by such a highly respected institution and by the customers we serve," said Business and Treasury Services Manager Denton Lee. "These awards recognize a great collaborative effort between our business bankers and our treasury services teams who understand the importance of helping businesses operate as efficiently and effectively as they can."
First Citizens' Business and Treasury Services offerings go beyond typical loan and deposit services, providing businesses with comprehensive solutions to help them increase efficiency, reduce costs and increase profits. Business and Treasury Services helps businesses improve the process of collecting their receivables, enhances control of their disbursements and assists with cash management through services such as business online banking, direct deposit of payroll, lockbox and check imaging among many others.
About the Greenwich Excellence Awards
Greenwich Associates is a leading international research-based consulting firm in institutional financial services. The Greenwich Excellence Awards are based on survey results from 17,000 interviews with businesses across the country that have sales of $10-$500 million. More than 750 banks were eligible to win an award. To qualify for consideration at the national level, each bank needed to have at least 100 clients respond to the survey; the requirement was 50 clients for regional awards.
About First Citizens Bank
Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., First Citizens operates 343 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).