FORT BRAGG, N.C., Aug. 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Citizens Bank has won the Department of the Army Distinguished Bank Service Award as the best bank on an Army post in the continental United States. The honor recognizes the North Carolina-headquartered financial institution for its commitment to provide comprehensive products and efficient services to soldiers, civilians and families on Fort Bragg, N.C., for the year 2013.

The bank's Cumberland Area Executive, Tim Richardson, and Fort Bragg Manager of Retail Banking Vinnie Venturella, accepted the award on Aug. 19 at the Association of Military Banks of America annual workshop in Washington, D.C.

The award was presented as First Citizens celebrates its 75^th year of serving the North Carolina military installation. First Citizens was one of the first banks in the United States to establish an office on a U.S. military post, opening its initial location on Fort Bragg in 1939. Today, First Citizens has 397 branches in 17 states and the District of Columbia, with three branches serving Fort Bragg.

"It is a great honor to receive this award, especially in this landmark year," said Frank Holding, chairman and chief executive officer of First Citizens Bank. "For 75 years, we have served the Fort Bragg community, extending our banking services and championing efforts to support our troops and their families whenever we could. This award is extremely special to us: It highlights our Forever First commitment to our military partners that has stood the test of time."

Col. Jeffrey Sanborn, garrison commander of Fort Bragg, nominated First Citizens for the honor.

"First Citizens provides excellent service to the Fort Bragg community, and always has," Sanborn said. "We appreciate the bank's longstanding dedication to our soldiers and families and congratulate the institution on the occasion of its 75^th anniversary on base. We value the diligence of First Citizens associates who take into account the needs of their customers and the challenges of a military lifestyle. Many bank associates have also volunteered hours of personal time to support the installation, and we thank them for their partnership."

The award nomination highlighted the bank's initiatives to support military customers, services provided to the base and financial education and training efforts. The award also recognized the working partnership between First Citizens, the base Bank Liaison Officer and the bank staff.

Founded in 1898, First Citizens Bank serves 17 states and the District of Columbia. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., the bank is a major subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares Inc. (Nasdaq:FCNCA), which has $22 billion in assets.

The bank has been the recipient of multiple national awards for customer satisfaction and overall stability and security. For more information about First Citizens Bank, call toll free 1-888-FC DIRECT (1-888-323-4732) or visit firstcitizens.com. First Citizens Bank. Forever First®.