RALEIGH, N.C., March 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Citizens Bank is one of two top winners of the 2011 Greenwich Excellence Awards for small business services and middle market banking. The North Carolina-headquartered bank received a total of 21 awards in the two categories combined — the highest number granted by Greenwich Associates.
"These awards put First Citizens in the top echelon of business banks in the nation," said Denton Lee, group vice president and manager of First Citizens' Business Banking Segment. "For more than a century, First Citizens has worked closely with businesses to help them achieve financial success and security. In addition to offering a complete range of business solutions, from basic account features to more complex treasury services, our clients enjoy a personal touch to banking. These awards signify the great confidence our clients place in First Citizens and highlight the strong relationships between our bank and the business community."
First Citizens received 11 wins in the Small Business Banking category and 10 in the Middle Market Banking category. (For 2010, First Citizens won a total of 14 Greenwich Excellence Awards in the same categories. First Citizens also received Greenwich Excellence honors in 2009 and 2008.)
"Greenwich Excellence Awards identify selected banks as demonstrating 'excellent' performance, and First Citizens is at the top of the list," said Greenwich Associates consultant Ron Balmer. "First Citizens garnered strong rankings across a wide range of categories, which is an indication of the quality of the company's performance and the high level of satisfaction the bank provides its clients."
First Citizens Bank was awarded the following 2011 Greenwich Excellence Awards:
Small Business Banking Category, nine national and two regional awards
2011 National Awards
- Overall Satisfaction
- Relationship Manager Performance
- Credit Policy – Response/Terms & Conditions
- Credit Policy – Willing to Lend/Pricing
- Financial Stability
- Branch Satisfaction
- Treasury Management – Overall Satisfaction
- Treasury Management – Accuracy of Operations
- Treasury Management – Customer Service
2011 Regional Awards (of four regions in the U.S.)
- Overall Satisfaction – South
- Treasury Management – Overall Satisfaction - South
Middle Market Banking Category, eight national and two regional awards
2011 National Awards
- Overall Satisfaction
- Relationship Manager Performance
- Financial Stability
- Website Performance
- Treasury Management – Overall Satisfaction
- Treasury Management – Accuracy of Operations
- Treasury Management – Customer Service
- Treasury Management – Product Capabilities
2011 Regional Awards
- Overall Satisfaction – South
- Treasury Management – Overall Satisfaction – South
About the Greenwich Excellence Awards
Greenwich Associates is a leading international research-based consulting firm in financial services. The Greenwich Excellence Awards are based on survey results from 25,000 interviews with businesses nationwide that have $1-$500 million in annual sales. A minimum of 50 client responses is required for banks to qualify at the national level; 30 are required at the regional level.
About First Citizens Bank
Founded in 1898, First Citizens Bank serves clients at 430 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 is the recipient of multiple national awards for customer satisfaction and overall stability and security. For 19 straight quarters, First Citizens has gained a five-star superior ranking from independent bank rating firm BauerFinancial Inc. of Coral Gables, Fla., which also cited the company as a recommended bank for 60 consecutive quarters. For 2011, First Citizens also received a combined 21 Greenwich Excellence awards, 11 for business banking services and 10 for middle market banking. For more information about First Citizens Bank, call toll free 1-888-FC DIRECT (1-888-323-4732) or visit firstcitizens.com.