As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 1997 Registration No. 333 - _____ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 BB&T CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) North Carolina 6060 56-0939887 (State or other (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer 	 jurisdiction of Classification Code Number) Identification Number) incorporation or organization) 200 West Second Street Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101 (910) 733-2000 (Address, including Zip Code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices) Jerone C. Herring, Esq. 200 West Second Street, 3rd Floor Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101 (910) 733-2180 (Name, address, including Zip Code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) The Commission is requested to send copies of all communications to: Douglas A. Mays Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC 3300 One First Union Center 301 South College Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement. If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. / / If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. /x/ If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. / / 	The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that the Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine. CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE Proposed maximum Proposed maximum Title of each class of Amount to be offering price per aggregate offering Amount of securities to be registered registered unit price registration fee Common Stock, 686,223 shares $39.625(2) $27,191,586(2) $8,240 par value $5.00 per share (1)	 (1) Each share of the registrant's common stock includes one preferred share purchase right. (2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee and computed inaccordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act based on the high ($39.875) and low ($39.375) prices of the registrants common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 16, 1997. PROSPECTUS 686,223 SHARES BB&T CORPORATION COMMON STOCK This Prospectus relates to the offer and sale of an aggregate of 686,223 shares of the common stock, par value $5.00 per share ("Common Stock"), of BB&T Corporation (the "Company" or "BB&T") by certain shareholders of the Company (the "Selling Shareholders"). The shares of Common Stock offered by the Selling Shareholders hereby are referred to herein as the "Shares." The Shares may be sold directly by the Selling Shareholders or by their pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest. Alternatively, the Shares may be offered to or through brokers or dealers who may act solely as agents or who may acquire Shares as principals. The disposition of the Shares will not include the use of special selling efforts or methods, and may be effected in one or more transactions that may take place on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), including block trades or ordinary broker's transactions, or through privately negotiated transactions or sales to one or more broker-dealers for resale of such securities as principals, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Usual and customary or specifically negotiated brokerage fees or commissions may be paid by these holders in connection with such sales. In connection with such sales, the Selling Shareholders and any participating brokers or dealers may be deemed "underwriters" as such term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). None of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Selling Shareholders will be received by the Company. See "USE OF PROCEEDS." No underwriter is being utilized in connection with this offering. The Company has agreed to bear all expenses (other than commissions or discounts of underwriters, dealers or agents, brokers' fees, state and local transfer taxes, and fees and expenses of counsel or other advisors to the Selling Shareholders) in connection with the registration of the Shares being offered by the Selling Shareholders, estimated to be $21,000. See "PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION" herein for a description of certain indemnification arrangements between the Company and certain of the Selling Shareholders. The Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "BBK." On May 22, 1997, the closing price of the Common Stock was $39.63. THE SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED PURSUANT TO THIS PROSPECTUS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK OR NON-BANK SUBSIDIARY OF BB&T AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The date of this Prospectus is May 27, 1997. AVAILABLE INFORMATION BB&T is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The reports, proxy statements and other information filed with the Commission can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission maintains a World Wide Web site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission, including BB&T. Shares of Common Stock are listed on the NYSE, and proxy statements, reports and other information concerning BB&T can also be inspected and copied at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (together with all amendments, exhibits and schedules thereto, the "Registration Statement") filed by BB&T with the Commission under the Securities Act with respect to the Shares. This Prospectus does not include all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. The Registration Statement, including any amendments, schedules and exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as a part thereof, is available for inspection and copying as set forth above. Statements contained in this Prospectus or in any document incorporated herein by reference as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein or therein are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or such other document, and each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference. No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representation in connection with the offering of securities made hereby other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by BB&T. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities covered by this Prospectus in any jurisdiction where, or to or from any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any distribution of securities made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of BB&T since the date hereof or that the information contained or incorporated by reference herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents previously filed by BB&T with the Commission under the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference: (a) BB&T's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996; (b) BB&T's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1997; (c) BB&T's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 14, 1997; (d) BB&T's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 11, 1997; (e) BB&T's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 23, 1997; (f) The description of the Common Stock in BB&T's registration statement filed under the Exchange Act with respect to the Common Stock, including all amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and (g) BB&T's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated January 10, 1997, with respect to the adoption of its shareholder rights plan. All other reports filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) and 13(c) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of Shares pursuant to this Prospectus, any definitive proxy or information statement filed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act in connection with any subsequent meetings of shareholders and any reports filed pursuant to Section 15 of the Exchange Act prior to any such termination of the offering of Shares, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modified or superseded such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THESE DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN) ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST BY ANY PERSON TO WHOM THIS PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED. REQUESTS FOR DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO INVESTOR RELATIONS, BB&T CORPORATION, 223 WEST NASH STREET, WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA 27893 OR TELEPHONE: (919) 246-4219. USE OF PROCEEDS The Company will receive no proceeds from the sale of Shares by the Selling Shareholders. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS The Shares being offered hereby by the Selling Shareholders were acquired in connection with (i) the acquisitions by BB&T Insurance Services, Inc., a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company ("BB&T Insurance"), of the assets of (a) Boyle-Vaughan Associates, Inc., a South Carolina corporation, on November 22, 1996; (b) Wm. Goldsmith Agency, Inc., a South Carolina corporation, on November 7, 1996; and (c) C. Dan Joyner Insurance Agency, Inc., a South Carolina corporation, on November 13, 1996; and (ii) the acquisition on May 20, 1997 of (a) all of the outstanding shares of Phillips Factors Corporation, a North Carolina corporation ("Factors"), by BB&T and (b) all of the outstanding shares of Phillips Financial Corporation, a North Carolina corporation ("Financial"), by Factors. The following table sets forth, for each Selling Shareholder, the amount of Common Stock of the Company owned, the number of shares of Common Stock offered hereby and the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company to be held after completion of this offering, and the nature of any position, office or other material relationship that the Selling Shareholder has had within the past three years with the Company or any of its predecessors or affiliates. No Selling Shareholder owns 1% or more of the outstanding Common Stock. Number of Shares to be Number of Number of Held after the Shares Shares Completion of Name Owned Offered Hereby this offering Relationship with BB&T David J. Wells, Jr. 187,910 187,910 0 Senior Vice President of BB&T Insurance since November 22, 1996 Thomas B. Boyle, III 187,909 187,909 0 Senior Vice President of BB&T Insurance since November 22, 1996 Frank W. Hafner, Jr. 63,504 63,504 0 Vice President of BB&T Insurance since November 22, 1996 Robert G. Boyle 26,370 26,370 0 Vice President of BB&T Insurance since November 22, 1996 Richard D. Turner 26,370 26,370 0 Vice President of BB&T Insurance since November 22, 1996 William Goldsmith Company, Inc. 61,108 52,454 8,654 (1) Nick A. Theodore 100,275 17,484 82,791 Director of Branch Banking and Trust Company of South Carolina, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of BB&T, since 1987 John H. Temple 3,222 269 2,953 Vice President of BB&T Insurance since November 7, 1996 C. Dan Joyner 37,271 24,541 12,730 Consultant to BB&T Insurance since November 13, 1996 Lloyd E. Kessler 23,579 23,579 0 Vice President of BB&T Insurance since November 13, 1996 Robert Niebauer 56,875 56,875 0 President of Factors, a BB&T subsidiary since May 20, 1997 Mitchell Wiggs 18,958 18,958 0 President of Financial, a BB&T subsidiary since May 20, 1997 (1) Paul S. Goldsmith, who has been a director of the Company since 1970, and affiliates of Mr. Goldsmith beneficially own approximately 99% of the outstanding capital stock of William Goldsmith Company, Inc. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Shares may be sold directly by the Selling Shareholders or by their pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest. Alternatively, the Shares may be offered to or through brokers or dealers who may act solely as agents, or who may acquire Shares as principals. The disposition of the Shares will not include the use of special selling efforts or methods, and may be effected in one or more transactions that may take place on the NYSE, including block trades or ordinary broker's transactions, or through privately negotiated transactions or sales to one or more broker-dealers for resale of such securities as principals, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Usual and customary or specifically negotiated brokerage fees or commissions may be paid by these holders in connection with such sales. In connection with such sales, the Selling Shareholders and any participating brokers or dealers may be deemed "underwriters" as such term is defined in the Securities Act. No underwriter is being utilized in connection with this offering. The Company has agreed to bear all expenses (other than commissions or discounts of underwriters, dealers or agents, brokers' fees, state and local transfer taxes, and fees and expenses of counsel or other advisors to the Selling Shareholders) in connection with the registration of the Shares being offered by the Selling Shareholders, estimated to be $21,000. The Company has agreed to indemnify certain of the Selling Shareholders from certain damages or liabilities arising out of or based upon any untrue statement of a material fact contained in, or material omission from, the Registration Statement, to the extent such untrue statement or omission was not made in the Registration Statement in reliance upon information furnished by the indemnified party. The Shares have been approved for listing on the NYSE. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS UCB Merger Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of November 1, 1996 by and between the Company and United Carolina Bancshares Corporation, Whiteville, North Carolina ("UCB"), as amended and restated (the "UCB Agreement"), UCB, which operates approximately 150 branch offices in the Carolinas, will merge with and into the Company (the "UCB Merger"). Upon consummation of the UCB Merger, which is expected to occur in mid-1997, each share of the $4.00 par value common stock of UCB ("UCB Common Stock") (excluding shares held by any dissenting shareholders) issued and outstanding at the effective time of the UCB Merger will be converted into and exchanged for 1.135 shares of Common Stock, subject to possible adjustment (the "UCB Exchange Ratio"). The UCB Exchange Ratio is potentially subject to upward adjustment if certain conditions are met concerning the trading price of Common Stock. UCB would have the right to terminate the UCB Agreement if such conditions should be met, in which case the Company would be required to determine whether to proceed with the UCB Merger at a higher UCB Exchange Ratio. In addition, at the effective time, all rights with respect to UCB Common Stock outstanding at the effective time pursuant to stock options granted by UCB under the existing stock plans of UCB, whether or not exercisable, will be converted into and become rights with respect to Common Stock on a basis that reflects the UCB Exchange Ratio. Approximately 28 million shares of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance in the UCB Merger. The UCB Merger is intended to constitute a tax-free transaction under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to be accounted for as a pooling of interests. The shareholders of the Company and UCB each approved the requisite matters relating to the UCB Merger at shareholders' meetings held on April 22, 1997. Consummation of the UCB Merger is subject to various conditions, including (a) receipt of all regulatory approvals required in connection with the transactions contemplated by the UCB Agreement, provided that no regulatory approval may impose any condition or requirement (other than previously contemplated divestitures or conditions or restrictions caused by other acquisitions by the Company) which, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, would so materially adversely affect the business or economic benefits of the UCB Merger as to render consummation of the UCB Merger inadvisable or unduly burdensome; (b) receipt by the Company of a letter, dated as of the effective time of the UCB Merger, from Arthur Andersen LLP to the effect that the UCB Merger will qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment; (c) the representations and warranties of the respective parties being true and accurate under the standards set forth in the UCB Agreement; (d) the parties having performed in all material respects all obligations and complied in all material respects with all covenants required by the UCB Agreement; (e) the holders of no more than 9.0% of the outstanding shares of UCB Common Stock having given written notice of their intent to demand payment for their shares and having not voted for the UCB Merger, pursuant to Article 13 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act (the "NCBCA"); and (f) satisfaction of certain other conditions. In connection with executing the UCB Agreement, the Company and UCB entered into two stock option agreements. Under the first stock option agreement, UCB granted to the Company an option to purchase up to 4,828,960 shares of UCB Common Stock (representing 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of UCB Common Stock), at a purchase price of $30.50 per share, upon certain terms and in accordance with certain conditions. Under the second such stock option agreement, the Company granted to UCB an option to purchase up to 10,806,121 shares of Common Stock (representing 9.9 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock), at a purchase price of $34.625 per share, upon certain terms and in accordance with certain conditions. For certain information relating to the effects of the UCB Merger on the Company's historical financial position and results of operations, see "PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION." Other Acquisitions On May 1, 1997, BB&T announced an agreement to purchase the investment banking firm Craigie Incorporated ("Craigie"), of Richmond, Virginia, for an undisclosed amount. With offices in Richmond and Charlotte, North Carolina, Craigie specializes in the origination, trading and distribution of fixed-income securities and equity products in both the public and private capital markets. Craigie's public finance department provides investment banking services, financial advisory services and municipal bond financing to a variety of regional tax-exempt issuers. The firm's corporate finance department specializes in raising capital for corporate clients and has an active mergers and acquisitions practice. Established in 1929, Craigie will continue to operate as a subsidiary of BB&T. The acquisition is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 1997 and is subject to the approval of the appropriate regulators and the shareholders of Craigie. On May 6, 1997, BB&T announced that it will acquire Virginia First Financial Corporation ("VFFC"), of Petersburg, Virginia, in a transaction valued at $148.4 million based on the closing price of BB&T Common Stock of $40.63 on May 5, 1997. VFFC, with approximately $817 million in assets, operates 24 banking offices through its banking subsidiary, Virginia First Savings Bank, and 12 mortgage loan production centers in Virginia and Maryland under Virginia First Mortgage. Its primary businesses are retail banking and mortgage banking. The acquisition, which is subject to the approval of the shareholders of VFFC and federal and state banking regulators, is expected to be completed by year end. BB&T expects to continue to take advantage of the consolidation of the financial services industry by further developing its franchise through the acquisition of financial institutions. Such acquisitions may entail the payment by BB&T of consideration in excess of the book value of the underlying net assets acquired, may result in the issuance of additional shares of BB&T capital stock or the incurring of an additional indebtedness by BB&T, and could have a dilutive effect on the earnings or book value, per share, of Common Stock. Moreover, such acquisitions sometimes result in significant charges against earnings, although cost savings, especially incident to in- market acquisitions, also are frequently anticipated. PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION The following Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information and explanatory notes are presented to show the impact of the UCB Merger on BB&T's historical financial position and the impact of the UCB Merger and BB&T's acquisition on March 1, 1997, of Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation ("FFBC"), Richmond, Virginia, on BB&T's historical results of operations. The UCB Merger is reflected in the Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information under the pooling-of-interests method of accounting and the FFBC Merger is reflected under the purchase method of accounting. The Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet presented assumes that the UCB Merger was consummated on March 31, 1997 and the Pro Forma Condensed Income Statements assume that the UCB Merger and the FFBC Merger were consummated at the beginning of each period presented, except where noted. BB&T acquired three insurance agencies in the fourth quarter of 1996 which were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. BB&T issued 610,390 shares of Common Stock to effect the acquisitions and recorded intangible assets of $16.9 million. Substantially all of these shares were repurchased prior to the consummation of these transactions. These amounts are not reflected in the Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet contained herein. The intangible assets recorded would result in amortization expense of $282,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. These amounts are not reflected in the Pro Forma Condensed Income Statements contained herein. During 1996, BB&T consummated a merger with Regional Acceptance Corporation, Greenville, North Carolina, which was accounted for as a pooling of interest, and UCB consummated mergers with Triad Bank and Seaboard Savings Bank, SSB, Inc., which were accounted for as poolings of interests. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements of BB&T and UCB, reflected in the following Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information, have each been restated to give effect to the respective transactions. The pro forma balances are not necessarily indicative of the results had the UCB Merger and the FFBC Merger occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of the results of future operations. BB&T CORPORATION AND UNITED CAROLINA BANCSHARES CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET March 31, 1997 (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) BB&T and UCB Pro Forma Adjustments Pro Forma BB&T UCB Debit Credit combined Assets Cash and due from banks $ 552,111 $ 150,980 $ $ $ 703,091 Interest-bearing deposits with banks 8,327 -- 8,327 Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements or similiar arrangement 21,022 92,632 113,654 Securities available for sale 5,222,841 869,359 6,092,200 Securities held to maturity 122,182 44,417 166,599 Loans held for sale 264,625 -- 264,625 Loans and leases, net of unearned income 15,084,615 3,215,839 208,755(5) 18,091,699 Allowance for loan and lease losses (193,987) (48,266) (242,253) Loans and leases, net 14,890,628 3,167,573 208,755 17,849,446 Premises and equipment, net 328,862 54,759 383,621 Other assets 641,597 108,119 7,660(1) 742,056 Total assets $ 22,052,195 $ 4,487,839 $ -- $ 216,415 $ 26,323,619 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Noninterest-bearing demand deposits $ 2,009,401 $ 609,696 $ 52,189(5) $ 2,566,908 Savings and interest checking 1,430,386 630,692 2,061,078 Money rate savings 3,722,006 846,382 4,568,388 Other time deposits 8,394,303 1,951,882 469,698(5) 9,876,487 Total deposits 15,556,096 4,038,652 521,887 19,072,861 Short-term borrowed funds 2,183,091 39,862 2,222,953 Long-term debt 2,273,288 2,251 2,275,539 Accounts payable and other liabilities 286,283 48,226 354,858(2)(3)(5) 689,367 Total liabilities 20,298,758 4,128,991 521,887 354,858 24,260,720 Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock, $5 par, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at December 31, 1996 -- -- -- Common stock, $5 par, 300,000,000 shares authorized, 109,138,628 issued and outstanding at March 31, 1997, 136,817,658 pro forma issued and outstanding, respectively 545,693 97,547 40,848(4) 684,088 Additional paid-in capital 122,274 52,722 40,848(4) 134,148 Retained earnings 1,091,507 210,488 49,386(1)(2)(3) 1,252,609 Loan to employee stock ownership plan and unvested restricted stock (1,935) -- (1,935) Net unrealized appreciation on securities available for resale (4,102) (1,909) (6,011) Total shareholders' equity 1,753,437 358,848 90,234 40,848 2,062,899 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 22,052,195 $ 4,487,839 $ 612,121 $ 395,706 $ 26,323,619 See Notes for Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information. Pro Forma Condensed Income Statement For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) BB&T and BB&T, FFBC FFBC and UCB Pro Forma Pro Forma Pro Forma BB&T FFBC(8) adjustments combined UCB(6) combined(6) Interest Income Interest and fees on loans and leases $ 332,269 $ 4,047 $ $ 336,316 $ 71,581 $ 407,897 Interest and dividends on securities 83,292 347 83,639 13,438 97,077 Interest on short-term investment 258 75 333 717 1,050 Total interest income 415,819 4,469 420,288 85,736 506,024 Interest Expense Interest on deposits 140,950 1,892 142,842 38,377 181,219 Interest on short-term borrowed funds 26,971 103 27,074 328 27,402 Interest on long-term debt 30,099 307 30,406 29 30,435 Total interest expense 198,020 2,302 200,322 38,734 239,056 Net Interest Income 217,799 2,167 219,966 47,002 266,968 Provision for loan and lease losses 17,000 120 17,120 3,850 20,970 Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan and Lease Losses 200,799 2,047 202,846 43,152 245,998 Noninterest Income Service charges on deposit accounts 30,600 46 30,646 5,855 36,501 Mortgage banking activities 10,486 (3) 10,483 1,267 11,750 Trust income 5,344 -- 5,344 1,514 6,858 Agency and other insurance commissions 12,959 -- 12,959 1,893 14,852 Other nondeposit fees and commissions 18,720 21 18,741 2,849 21,590 Securities gains (losses), net 811 -- 811 4 815 Other noninterest income 6,593 8 6,601 295 6,896 Total noninterest income 85,513 72 85,585 13,677 99,262 Noninterest Expense Personnel expense 81,058 666 81,724 21,128 102,852 Occupancy and equipment expense 26,776 205 26,981 4,333 31,314 Federal deposit insurance expense 1,135 27 1,162 -- 1,162 Other noninterest expense 52,073 303 636(7) 53,012 10,622 63,634 Total noninterest expense 161,042 1,201 636 162,879 36,083 198,962 Earnings Income before income taxes 125,270 918 (636) 125,552 20,746 146,298 Income tax expense 42,202 346 42,548 7,467 50,015 Net income 83,068 572 (636) 83,004 13,279 96,283 Per Common Share Net income: Primary $ .74 $ .74 $ .55 $ .69 Fully diluted $ .74 $ .74 $ .55 $ .69 Average Shares Outstanding Primary 111,554,075 111,554,075 24,360,323 139,203,042 Fully diluted 111,554,075 111,554,075 24,360,323 139,203,042 See Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information. Pro Forma Condensed Income Statement For the Year Ended December 31, 1996 (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) BB&T and BB&T, FFBC FFBC and UCB Pro forma Pro forma Pro forma BB&T FFBC adjustments combined UCB(6) combined(6) Interest Income Interest and fees on loans and leases $ 1,282,521 $ 23,659 $ $ 1,306,180 $ 272,301 $ 1,578,481 Interest and dividends on securities 323,360 1,582 324,942 51,897 376,839 Interest on short-term investments 732 1,322 2,054 4,741 6,795 Total interest income 1,606,613 26,563 1,633,176 328,939 1,962,115 Interest Expense Interest on deposits 564,747 11,746 576,493 147,744 724,237 Interest on short-term borrowed funds 105,936 964 106,900 1,823 108,723 Interest on long-term debt 107,437 1,671 109,108 165 109,273 Total interest expense 778,120 14,381 792,501 149,732 942,233 Net Interest Income 828,493 12,182 840,675 179,207 1,019,882 Provision for loan and lease losses 53,661 3,050 56,711 8,850 65,561 Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan and Lease Losses 774,832 9,132 783,964 170,357 954,321 Noninterest Income Service charges on deposit accounts 107,581 -- 107,581 24,599 132,180 Mortgage banking activities 34,352 -- 34,352 5,493 39,845 Trust income 22,811 -- 22,811 5,983 28,794 Agency and other insurance commissions 33,542 -- 33,542 6,139 39,681 Other nondeposit fees and commissions 68,835 -- 68,835 9,456 78,291 Securities gains (losses), net 3,206 (211) 2,995 (116) 2,879 Other noninterest income 27,062 834 27,896 561 28,457 Total noninterest income 297,389 623 298,012 52,115 350,127 Noninterest Expense Personnel expense 302,383 4,121 306,504 85,061 391,565 Occupancy and equipment expense 103,594 1,347 104,941 17,525 122,466 Federal deposit insurance expense 42,820 2,004 44,824 1,227 46,051 Other noninterest expense 205,256 1,486 2,543(7) 209,285 48,900 258,185 Total noninterest expense 654,053 8,958 2,543 665,554 152,713 818,267 Earnings Income before income taxes 418,168 797 (2,543) 416,422 69,759 486,181 Income tax expense 134,504 307 134,811 24,555 159,366 Net income 283,664 490 (2,543) 281,611 45,204 326,815 Preferred dividend requirements 610 -- 610 -- 610 Income applicable to common shares $ 283,054 $ 490 $ (2,543)$ 281,001 $ 45,204 $ 326,205 Per Common Share Net income: Primary $ 2.56 $ .21 $ $ 2.51 $ 1.87 $ 2.34 Fully diluted $ 2.54 $ .21 $ $ 2.48 $ 1.87 $ 2.32 Average Shares Outstanding Primary 110,486,127 2,286,773 112,118,197 24,210,796 139,597,450 Fully diluted 111,836,200 2,286,773 113,468,270 24,210,796 140,947,523 See Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information. Pro Forma Condensed Income Statement For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1995 (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) BB&T and BB&T, FFBC FFBC and UCB Pro forma Pro forma Pro forma BB&T FFBC adjustments combined UCB(6) combined(6) Interest Income Interest and fees on loan and leases $ 1,261,658 $ 22,731 $ $ 1,284,389 $ 255,251 $ 1,539,640 Interest and dividends on securities 312,423 1,493 313,916 42,086 356,002 Interest on short-term investments 2,531 1,203 3,734 6,754 10,488 Total interest income 1,576,612 25,427 1,602,039 304,091 1,906,130 Interest Expense Interest on deposits 557,149 11,185 568,334 132,620 700,954 Interest on short-term borrowed funds 186,194 1,251 187,445 2,653 190,098 Interest on long-term debt 70,599 1,537 72,136 170 72,306 Total interest expense 813,942 13,973 827,915 135,443 963,358 Net Interest Income 762,670 11,454 774,124 168,648 942,772 Provision for loan and lease losses 34,632 431 35,063 7,292 42,355 Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan and Lease Losses 728,038 11,023 739,061 161,356 900,417 Noninterest Income Service charges on deposit accounts 89,621 201 89,822 24,043 113,865 Mortgage banking activities 26,408 -- 26,408 4,810 31,218 Trust income 18,629 -- 18,629 5,243 23,872 Agency and other insurance commissions 26,438 -- 26,438 5,252 31,690 Other nondeposit fees and commissions 54,634 -- 54,634 7,225 61,859 Securities (losses) gains, net (18,600) (42) (18,642) 11 (18,631) Other noninterest income 33,864 582 34,446 477 34,923 Total noninterest income 230,994 741 231,735 47,061 278,796 Noninterest Expense Personnel expense 346,308 4,016 350,324 78,390 428,714 Occupancy and equipment expense 107,877 1,314 109,191 17,410 126,601 Federal deposit insurance expense 22,995 501 23,496 3,864 27,360 Other noninterest expense 204,048 1,189 2,543(7) 207,780 37,632 245,412 Total noninterest expense 681,228 7,020 2,543 690,791 137,296 828,087 Earnings Income before income taxes 277,804 4,744 (2,543) 280,005 71,121 351,126 Income tax expense 91,463 1,713 93,176 25,074 118,250 Net income 186,341 3,031 (2,543) 186,829 46,047 232,876 Preferred dividend requirements 5,079 -- 5,079 -- 5,079 Income applicable to common shares $ 181,262 $ 3,031 $ (2,543) $ 181,750 $ 46,047 $ 227,797 Per Common Share Net income: Primary $ 1.65 $ 1.34 $ $ 1.63 $ 1.91 $ 1.64 Fully diluted $ 1.62 $ 1.34 $ $ 1.61 $ 1.91 $ 1.62 Average Shares Outstanding Primary 109,776,710 2,261,310 111,390,607 24,099,190 138,743,188 Fully diluted 114,801,843 2,261,310 116,415,740 24,099,190 143,768,321 See Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information. Pro Forma Condensed Income Statement For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1994 (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) BB&T and BB&T, FFBC FFBC and UCB Pro forma Pro forma Pro forma BB&T FFBC adjustments combined UCB(6) combined(6) Interest Income Interest and fees on loans and leases $ 1,042,553 $ 18,928 $ $ 1,061,481 $ 212,511 $ 1,273,992 Interest and dividends on securities 291,805 1,048 292,853 32,298 325,151 Interest on short-term investments 5,184 904 6,088 2,431 8,519 Total interest income 1,339,542 20,880 1,360,422 247,240 1,607,662 Interest Expense Interest on deposits 441,876 7,814 449,690 89,430 539,120 Interest on short-term borrowed funds 103,493 966 104,459 2,948 107,407 Interest on long-term debt 40,927 1,448 42,375 164 42,539 Total interest expense 586,296 10,228 596,524 92,542 689,066 Net Interest Income 753,246 10,652 763,898 154,698 918,596 Provision for loan and lease losses 20,181 525 20,706 3,549 24,255 Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan and Lease Losses 733,065 10,127 743,192 151,149 894,341 Noninterest Income Service charges on deposit accounts 85,106 -- 85,106 23,874 108,980 Mortgage banking activities 24,920 -- 24,920 3,893 28,813 Trust income 17,180 -- 17,180 5,163 22,343 Agency and other insurance commissions 24,243 -- 24,243 3,773 28,016 Other nondeposit fees and commissions 48,265 -- 48,265 7,269 55,534 Securities (losses) gains, net 3,074 (3) 3,071 (46) 3,025 Other noninterest income 27,073 585 27,658 952 28,610 Total noninterest income 229,861 582 230,443 44,878 275,321 Noninterest Expense Personnel expense 296,545 3,533 300,078 78,586 378,664 Occupancy and equipment expense 88,580 1,187 89,767 17,181 106,948 Federal deposit insurance expense 32,697 432 33,129 6,556 39,685 Other noninterest expense 171,973 1,250 2,543(7) 175,766 44,382 220,148 Total noninterest expense 589,795 6,402 2,543 598,740 146,705 745,445 Earnings Income before income taxes 373,131 4,307 (2,543) 374,895 49,322 424,217 Income tax expense 129,289 1,568 130,857 17,769 148,626 Income before cumulative effects of changes in accounting methods 243,842 2,739 (2,543) 244,038 31,553 275,591 Cumulative effects of changes in accounting methods -- -- -- -- (316) (316) Net income 243,842 2,739 (2,543) 244,038 31,237 275,275 Preferred dividend requirements 5,198 -- 5,198 -- 5,198 Income applicable to common shares $ 238,644 $ 2,739 $ (2,543) $ 238,840 $ 31,237 $ 270,077 Per Common Share Net income: Primary $ 2.21 $ 1.22 $ $ 2.18 $ 1.30 $ 1.97 Fully diluted $ 2.16 $ 1.22 $ $ 2.13 $ 1.30 $ 1.94 Average Shares Outstanding Primary 108,142,988 2,236,736 109,739,346 23,954,818 136,928,065 Fully diluted 113,193,681 2,236,736 114,790,039 23,954,818 141,978,758 See Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information. NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION Note 1. During May 1995, BB&T and UCB entered into a transaction wherein UCB acquired 12 North Carolina branch offices which were required to be divested by BB&T. In the acquisition, UCB assumed $178.7 million in deposits and purchased $26.8 million in loans from BB&T. Two of the branch banking offices acquired by UCB in the transaction with aggregate deposits and loans of $32.7 million and $4.9 million, respectively, were sold to third party banks during the fourth quarter of 1995. UCB recorded a premium of $10.1 million for the assumed deposit base of the branches retained. BB&T recorded a total gain on divestiture of $12.3 million. This adjustment eliminates the $7.7 million of unamortized deposit intangibles and the intercompany portion of the gain in the Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet. Note 2. Certain material, nonrecurring adjustments of approximately $50 to $60 million will be recorded in conjunction with the UCB Merger. These adjustments include amounts to effect the settlement of obligations under existing employment contracts, severance pay for involuntary terminations, early retirement and related employee benefits; amounts associated with branch closings and divestitures and the consolidation of bank operations and systems. It is estimated that $5 million of the expenses will be directly related to effecting the UCB Merger and therefore will not be deductible for income tax purposes. The impact of these adjustments has been reflected in the Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1997. Note 3. UCB elected to amortize the accumulated postretirement obligation related to the adoption of SFAS No. 106 over a period of 20 years as a component of the postretirement benefit cost. BB&T elected to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 106 through the recording of a cumulative charge for this change in accounting principle. The Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet reflects an adjustment to conform UCB's transition method to the method elected by BB&T. The accompanying Pro Forma Condensed Income Statements do not reflect adjustments for amounts previously recorded by UCB as amortization of the unrecorded transition obligation, which amounted to $99,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 and $394,000 each year for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994. Note 4. Based on an exchange ratio of 1.135 for the conversion of UCB common stock into BB&T common stock. At March 31, 1997, UCB had 24,386,811 shares of common stock outstanding. Note 5. To reflect the transactions necessary to divest of $521.9 million of deposits and $208.8 million of loans in conjunction with the UCB merger. The net amount to be due at closing is recorded in other liabilities. Note 6. No pro forma adjustments relating to the UCB Merger are reflected in the Pro Forma Condensed Income Statements. Note 7. To record amortization of the $38.1 million recorded as goodwill, which results from the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired from FFBC over a 15-year period using the straight-line method. Note 8. BB&T acquired FFBC on March 1, 1997. This Pro Forma Condensed Income Statements includes the results of operations of FFBC from January 1, 1997 through February 28, 1997. FFBC's results of operations for the month of March, 1997 are included in the BB&T column. LEGAL MATTERS The validity of the Shares offered hereby will be passed upon by Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, Charlotte, North Carolina, as counsel to BB&T. As of the date of this Prospectus, certain members of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC owned an aggregate of approximately 22,000 shares of Common Stock. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements and schedules of BB&T Corporation included in BB&T Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports. PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution Estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting compensation, are as follows: Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee $ 8,240 Legal fees 7,500 Accounting fees 5,000 Miscellaneous expenses 260 Total $21,000 Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers Sections 55-8-50 through 55-8-58 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act contain specific provisions relating to indemnification of directors and officers of North Carolina corporations. In general, such sections provide that: (i) a corporation must indemnify a director or officer who is wholly successful in his defense of a proceeding to which he is a party because of his status as such, unless limited by the articles of incorporation, and (ii) a corporation may indemnify a director or officer if he is not wholly successful in such defense, if it is determined as provided by statute that the director or officer meets a certain standard of conduct, provided when a director or officer is liable to the corporation or is adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by him, the corporation may not indemnify him. A director or officer of a corporation who is a party to a proceeding may also apply to a court for indemnification, and the court may order indemnification under certain circumstances set forth in statute. A corporation may, in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or by contract or resolution of the board of directors, provide indemnification in addition to that provided by statute, subject to certain conditions. The registrant's bylaws provide for the indemnification of any director or officer of the registrant against liabilities and litigation expenses arising our of his status as such, excluding: (i) any liabilities or litigation expenses relating to activities which were at the time taken known or believed by such person to be clearly in conflict with the best interest of the registrant and (ii) that portion of any liabilities or litigation expenses with respect to which such person is entitled to receive payment under any insurance policy. The registrant's articles of incorporation provide for the elimination of the personal liability of each director of the registrant to the fullest extent permitted by law. The registrant maintains directors and officers liability insurance which, in general, insures: (i) the registrant's directors and officers against loss by reason of any of their wrongful acts and (ii) the registrant against loss arising from claims against the directors and officers by reason of their wrongful acts, all subject to the terms and conditions contained in the policy. Certain rules of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit the ability of certain depository institutions, their subsidiaries and their affiliated depository institution holding companies to indemnify affiliated parties, including institution directors. In general, subject to the ability to purchase directors and officers liability insurance and to advance professional expenses under certain circumstances, the rules prohibit such institutions from indemnifying a director for certain costs incurred with regard to an administrative or enforcement action commenced by any federal banking agency which results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which the director is assessed a civil money penalty, removed from office, prohibited from participating in the affairs of an insured depository institution or required to cease and desist from or take an affirmative action described in Section 8(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1818(b)). Item 16. Exhibits The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration statement on Form S-3: Exhibit No. Description 3(a) Articles of Incorporation of BB&T Corporation, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 3(a) to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996) 3(b) Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of BB&T Corporation effective May 16, 1997 changing the name of the registrant from "Southern National Corporation" to "BB&T Corporation" 3(c) Bylaws of BB&T Corporation, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2 to the registrant's registration statement on Form S-4 filed June 29, 1989 (Registration No. 33-29586) and Exhibit No. 3(c) to the registrant's registration statement on Form S-4 filed May 6, 1997 (Registration No. 333-26545)) 4 Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1996, between BB&T Corporation and Branch Banking and Trust Company, as Rights Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 1 of the registrant's registration statement on Form 8-A dated January 10, 1997) 5 Opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC 23(a) Consent of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC (included in Exhibit 5) 23(b) Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP 24 Power of Attorney Item 17. Undertakings The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement (I) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Winston-Salem, State of North Carolina, on May 23, 1997. SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION By: /s/ Jerone C. Herring Name: Jerone C. Herring Title: Executive Vice President and Secretary Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 23, 1997. /s/ John A. Allison IV* /s/ Scott E. Reed* Name: John A. Allison IV Name: Scott E. Reed Title: Chairman of the Board and Title: Senior Executive Vice President Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (principal executive officer) (principal financial officer) /s/ Sherry A. Kellett* /s/ Paul B. Barringer* Name: Sherry A. Kellett Name: Paul B. Barringer Title: Executive Vice President Title: Director and Controller (principal accounting officer) /s/ W. R. Cuthbertson, Jr.* /s/ Ronald E. Deal* Name: W. R. Cuthbertson, Jr. Name: Ronald E. Deal Title: Director Title: Director /s/ A. J. Dooley, Sr.* /s/ Joe L. Dudley, Sr.* Name: A. J. Dooley, Sr. Name: Joe L. Dudley, Sr. Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Tom D. Efird* /s/ O. William Fenn, Jr.* Name: Tom D. Efird Name: O. William Fenn, Jr. Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Paul S. Goldsmith* /s/ L. Vincent Hackley* Name: Paul S. Goldsmith Name: L. Vincent Hackley Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Ernest F. Hardee* /s/ Richard Janeway, M.D. Name: Ernest F. Hardee Name: Richard Janeway, M.D. Title: Director Title: Director /s/ J. Ernest Lathem, M.D.* /s/ James H. Maynard* Name: J. Ernest Lathem, M.D. Name: James H. Maynard Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Joseph A. McAleer, Jr.* /s/ Albert O. McCauley* Name: Joseph A. McAleer, Jr. Name: Albert O. McCauley Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Dickson McLean, Jr.* /s/ Charles E. Nichols* Name: Dickson McLean, Jr. Name: Charles E. Nichols Title: Director Title: Director /s/ L. Glen Orr, Jr.* /s/ A. Winniett Peters* Name: L. Glenn Orr, Jr. Name: A. Winniett Peters Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Richard L. Player, Jr.* /s/ C. Edward Pleasants, Jr.* Name: Richard L. Player, Jr. Name: C. Edward Pleasants, Jr. Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Nido R. Qubein* /s/ A. Tab Williams, Jr.* Name: Nido R. Qubein Name: A. Tab Williams, Jr. Title: Director Title: Director *By: /s/ Jerone C. Herring Jerone C. Herring Attorney-in-Fact EXHIBIT 3(b) ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT OF SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION The undersigned corporation hereby submits these articles of amendment for the purpose of amending its articles of incorporation: 1. The name of the corporation is Southern National Corporation. 2. The following amendment to the articles of incorporation of the corporation was adopted by its shareholders on the 22nd day of April, 1997 in the manner prescribed by law: Delete the provisions of Article I and substitute therefore the following: "The name of the Corporation is BB&T Corporation." 3. The above amendment is effective at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 1997. This the 1st day of May, 1997. SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION By: /s/ Jerone C. Herring Jerone C. Herring, Secretary EXHIBIT 5 [Letterhead of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC] May 23, 1997 BB&T Corporation 200 West Second Street Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27102 Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as counsel to BB&T Corporation (the "Company") in connection with the registration by the Company of 686,223 shares of its Common Stock, par value $5.00 per share (the "Shares") that may be offered and sold by certain shareholders of the Company from time to time, as set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") that is being filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This opinion is provided pursuant to the requirements of Item 21(a) of Form S-4 and Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K. In connection with the foregoing, we have examined such records, documents and proceedings as we have deemed relevant as a basis for the opinion expressed herein. Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares are legally issued, fully paid, and nonassessable. We hereby consent to be named in the Registration Statement under the heading "LEGAL MATTERS" as attorneys who passed upon the validity of the shares of Common Stock and to the filing of a copy of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act or other rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Sincerely, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, A Professional Limited Liability Company By: /s/ Garza Baldwin, III Garza Baldwin, III EXHIBIT 23(b) CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 14, 1997, included in BB&T Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, and to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement. /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP Charlotte, North Carolina May 23, 1997. EXHIBIT 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY Each of the undersigned, being a director and/or officer of Southern National Corporation (the "Company"), hereby nominates, constitutes and appoints John A. Allison, Scott E. Reed and Jerone C. Herring, or any one of them severally, to be his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and to sign in his or her name and on his or her behalf in any and all capacities stated below, and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") relating to the registration of the sale of (a) up to 610,390 shares of the Company's common stock, $5.00 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), issued in connection with the acquisitions by a subsidiary of the Company in November 1996 of the assets of Boyle-Vaughan Associates, Inc., Wm. Goldsmith Agency, Inc. and C. Dan Joyner Insurance Agency, Inc. and (b) up to 491,680 shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with the acquisition by the Company of all of the outstanding capital stock of Phillips Factors Corporation ("Factors") and the acquisition by Factors of all of the outstanding capital stock of Phillips Financial Corporation, and to file any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement, making such changes in the Registration Statement as such attorney- in-fact deems appropriate, and generally to do all such things on his or her behalf in any and all capacities stated below to enable the Company to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Commission. This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated as of April 22, 1997. /s/ John A. Allison IV /s/ Scott E. Reed Name: John A. Allison IV Name: Scott E. Reed Title: Chairman of the Board and Title: Senior Executive Vice President Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (principal executive officer) (principal financial officer) /s/ Sherry A. Kellett /s/ Paul B. Barringer Name: Sherry A. Kellett Name: Paul B. Barringer Title: Executive Vice President Title: Director and Controller (principal accounting officer) /s/ W. R. Cuthbertson, Jr. /s/ Ronald E. Deal Name: W. R. Cuthbertson, Jr. Name: Ronald E. Deal Title: Director Title: Director /s/ A. J. Dooley, Sr. /s/ Joe L. Dudley, Sr. Name: A. J. Dooley, Sr. Name: Joe L. Dudley, Sr. Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Tom D. Efird /s/ O. William Fenn, Jr. Name: Tom D. Efird Name: O. William Fenn, Jr. Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Paul S. Goldsmith /s/ L. Vincent Hackley Name: Paul S. Goldsmith Name: L. Vincent Hackley Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Ernest F. Hardee /s/ Richard Janeway, M.D. Name: Ernest F. Hardee Name: Richard Janeway, M.D. Title: Director Title: Director /s/ J. Ernest Lathem, M.D. /s/ James H. Maynard Name: J. Ernest Lathem, M.D. Name: James H. Maynard Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Joseph A. McAleer, Jr. /s/ Albert O. McCauley Name: Joseph A. McAleer, Jr. Name: Albert O. McCauley Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Dickson McLean, Jr. /s/ Charles E. Nichols Name: Dickson McLean, Jr. Name: Charles E. Nichols Title: Director Title: Director /s/ L. Glenn Orr, Jr. /s/ A. Winniett Peters Name: L. Glenn Orr, Jr. Name: A. Winniett Peters Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Richard L. Player, Jr. /s/ C. Edward Pleasants, Jr. Name: Richard L. Player, Jr. Name: C. Edward Pleasants, Jr. Title: Director Title: Director /s/ Nido R. Qubein /s/ A. Tab Williams, Jr. Name: Nido R. Qubein Name: A. Tab Williams, Jr. Title: Director Title: Director