UNITED STATES
                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C.  20549


                               FORM 10-Q



           Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                  The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                   For the period ended  March 31, 2003

                    Commission File Number:  0-16471



                   First Citizens BancShares, Inc
        (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


            Delaware                                56-1528994
(State or other jurisdiction of     (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
incorporation or organization)


           3128 Smoketree Court, Raleigh, North Carolina        27604
           (Address of principal executive offices)           (zip code)


                             (919) 716-7000
            (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)




Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding  twelve months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past ninety days.

                          Yes    X           No  _____

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  Registrant  is an  accelerated  filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act)

                          Yes X              No _____

             Class A Common Stock--$1 Par Value-- 8,792,061 shares
             Class B Common Stock--$1 Par Value-- 1,677,675 shares
        (Number of shares outstanding, by class, as of May 13,2003)

<Page>

 INDEX

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Unaudited)

          Consolidated  Balance Sheets at March 31, 2003,
          December 31, 2002,and March 31, 2002

          Consolidated Statements of Income for the three-month
          periods ended March 31, 2003 and March 31, 2002

          Consolidated  Statements  of Changes in  Shareholders'
          Equity for the three-month  periods ended March 31, 2003,
          and March 31, 2002

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three-month
          periods ended March 31, 2003, and March 31, 2002

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market
          Risk

Item 4.            Controls and Procedures

  (a)In conjunction with this filing and their certifications of the disclosures
     contained within this filing,  Chief Executive Officer Lewis R. Holding and
     Chief Financial  Officer Kenneth A. Black  evaluated the  effectiveness  of
     Registrant's  disclosure  controls  and  procedures.   This  review,  which
     occurred  within 90 days of this  report's  filing,  found  the  disclosure
     controls and procedures to be effective.

  (b)There were no significant  changes in Registrant's  internal controls or in
     other factors that could significantly  affect these controls subsequent to
     the evaluation by Mr. Holding and Mr. Black.

<Page>

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

          (a)  Exhibits.

               99 Certification

          (b)  Reports on Form 8-K. During the quarter ended March 31, 2003,
               Registrant filed no Current Reports on Form 8-K.



                                       SIGNATURES


        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
        Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
        undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                              FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC.
                                                      (Registrant)


Dated:  May 13, 2003
                                                   By:/s/Kenneth A. Black
                                                   Kenneth A. Black
                                                   Vice President, Treasurer,
                                                   and Chief Financial Officer

First Citizens BancShares, Inc and Subsidiaries
First Quarter  2003

<Page>
                                 CERTIFICATIONS

                    Certification of Chief Executive Officer

I, Lewis R. Holding, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of First Citizens
BancShares, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

   a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material
     information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
     subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
     particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being
     prepared;

   b)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
     procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this
     quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

   c)presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness
     of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the
     Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

   a)all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
     controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
     process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the
     registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

   b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
     employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
     controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this
quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls
subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Dated: May 13, 2003                                  /s/ Lewis R. Holding
                                                     _________________________
                                                     Lewis R. Holding
                                                     Chief Executive Officer

<Page>
                    Certification of Chief Financial Officer

I, Kenneth A. Black, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of First Citizens
BancShares, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

   a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material
     information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
     subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
     particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being
     prepared;

   b)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
     procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this
     quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

   c)presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness
     of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the
     Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

   a)all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
     controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
     process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the
     registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

   b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
     employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
     controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this
quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls
subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Dated: May 13, 2003                                  /s/ Kenneth A. Black
                                                     ________________________
                                                     Kenneth A. Black
                                                     Chief Financial Officer

<Page>

<Table>
<Caption>

Consolidated Balance Sheets
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                                                                           March 31*        December 31#            March 31*
(thousands, except share data)                                                  2003                2002                 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       
Assets
Cash and due from banks                                                    $ 753,578           $ 811,657            $ 709,757
Overnight investments                                                        925,255             623,570              597,980
Investment securities held to maturity                                     1,991,916           2,417,583            2,441,456
Investment securities available for sale                                     370,214             121,653              134,927
Loans                                                                      7,704,492           7,620,263            7,248,088
Less reserve for loan losses                                                 113,382             112,533              108,692
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net loans                                                              7,591,110           7,507,730            7,139,396
Premises and equipment                                                       509,733             507,267              481,981
Income earned not collected                                                   41,977              46,959               60,970
Other assets                                                                 204,958             195,471              181,511
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total assets                                                        $ 12,388,741        $ 12,231,890         $ 11,747,978
==============================================================================================================================

Liabilities
Deposits:
    Noninterest-bearing                                                  $ 1,992,797         $ 1,857,576          $ 1,615,435
    Interest-bearing                                                       8,601,583           8,582,044            8,257,544
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total deposits                                                        10,594,380          10,439,620            9,872,979
Short-term borrowings                                                        438,427             462,627              558,003
Long-term obligations                                                        253,386             253,409              283,988
Other liabilities                                                            118,913             108,943              125,101
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total liabilities                                                     11,405,106          11,264,599           10,840,071

Shareholders' equity
Common stock:
Class A-$1 par value (8,792,561; 8,794,669 and
    8,797,154 shares issued, respectively)                                     8,792               8,794                8,797
Class B-$1 par value (1,677,675; 1,678,625 and
    1,683,470 shares issued, respectively)                                     1,678               1,678                1,683
Surplus                                                                      143,766             143,766              143,766
Retained earnings                                                            819,533             804,397              745,069
Accumulated other comprehensive income                                         9,866               8,656                8,592
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total shareholders' equity                                               983,635             967,291              907,907
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                          $ 12,388,741        $ 12,231,890         $ 11,747,978
==============================================================================================================================

* Unaudited
# Derived from the Consolidated Balance Sheets included in the 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

</Table>


First Citizens BancShares, Inc and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003

<Page>

<Table>
<Caption>
Consolidated Statements of Income
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                                                                                         Three Months Ended March 31
(thousands, except per share data, unaudited)                                                 2003              2002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 
Interest income                                                                                           (Restated)
Loans                                                                                    $ 113,440         $ 124,227
Investment securities:
U. S. Government                                                                            15,429            29,638
State, county and municipal                                                                     38                62
Dividends                                                                                      377               435
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investment securities interest and dividend income                                    15,844            30,135
Overnight investments                                                                        1,790             1,786
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest income                                                                      131,074           156,148
Interest expense
Deposits                                                                                    36,334            52,061
Short-term borrowings                                                                          581             1,369
Long-term obligations                                                                        5,243             5,707
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest expense                                                                      42,158            59,137
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                                                                         88,916            97,011
Provision for loan losses                                                                    5,563             5,980
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                         83,353            91,031
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts                                                         18,444            18,448
Cardholder and merchant services income                                                     12,387            11,010
Trust income                                                                                 3,723             3,994
Fees from processing services                                                                5,138             4,684
Commission-based income                                                                      6,018             5,333
ATM income                                                                                   2,104             2,127
Mortgage income                                                                              4,056             3,262
Other service charges and fees                                                               3,905             4,033
Securities gains (losses)                                                                     (975)              310
Other                                                                                        1,587             1,014
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest income                                                                    56,387            54,215
Noninterest expense
Salaries and wages                                                                          48,401            46,935
Employee benefits                                                                           11,527            10,585
Occupancy expense                                                                            9,722             8,999
Equipment expense                                                                           11,968            10,598
Other                                                                                       29,664            29,789
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest expense                                                                  111,282           106,906
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                                                                  28,458            38,340
Income taxes                                                                                10,164            13,516
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net income                                                                                 18,294            24,824
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes
Unrealized securities gains arising during period                                              620             1,106
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income                   (590)              186
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes                                                     1,210               920
=====================================================================================================================
Comprehensive income                                                                      $ 19,504          $ 25,744
=====================================================================================================================
Average shares outstanding                                                              10,472,065        10,481,661
Per Share
Net income                                                                                  $ 1.75            $ 2.37
Cash dividends                                                                               0.275              0.25
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

</Table>

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003

<Page>


<Table>
<Caption>
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                                                                                                   Accumulated
                                                 Class A     Class B                                     Other
                                                  Common      Common               Retained      Comprehensive       Total
(thousands, except share data, unaudited)          Stock       Stock     Surplus   Earnings             Income      Equity
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
Balance at December 31, 2001                     $ 8,797     $ 1,686   $ 143,766  $ 723,122            $ 7,672   $ 885,043
Net income (restated)                                                                24,824                         24,824
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes                                                                   920         920
Cash dividends                                                                       (2,620)                        (2,620)
Redemption of 2,832 shares of Class B
    common stock                                                  (3)                  (257)                          (260)
===========================================================================================================================
Balance at March 31, 2002 (restated)             $ 8,797     $ 1,683   $ 143,766  $ 745,069            $ 8,592   $ 907,907
===========================================================================================================================

Balance at December 31, 2002                     $ 8,794     $ 1,678   $ 143,766  $ 804,397            $ 8,656   $ 967,291
Net income                                                                           18,294                         18,294
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes                                                                 1,210       1,210
Cash dividends                                                                       (2,879)                        (2,879)
Redemption of 2,108 shares of Class A
    common stock                                      (2)                              (193)                          (195)
Redemption of 950 shares of Class B
    common stock                                                                        (86)                           (86)
===========================================================================================================================
Balance at March 31, 2003                        $ 8,792     $ 1,678   $ 143,766  $ 819,533            $ 9,866   $ 983,635
===========================================================================================================================

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

</Table>

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003

<Page>


<Table>
<Caption>
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                         Three months ended March 31,
(thousands)                                                                                2003                 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             (thousands, unaudited)
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                   (Restated)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income                                                                                     $ 18,294             $ 24,824
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
   provided  by operating activities:
  Amortization of intangibles                                                                       666                  919
  Provision for loan losses                                                                       5,563                5,980
  Deferred tax expense                                                                            2,143                2,974
  Change in current taxes payable                                                                12,337               14,164
  Depreciation                                                                                    9,728                9,173
  Change in accrued interest payable                                                             (7,571)             (16,577)
  Change in income earned not collected                                                           4,982                2,634
  Securities losses (gains)                                                                         975                 (310)
  Origination of loans held for sale                                                           (230,336)             (14,205)
  Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale                                                     230,415               11,716
  Gain on loans held for sale                                                                    (1,951)                (301)
  Net amortization of premiums and discounts                                                      5,473                5,592
  Net change in other assets                                                                    (13,087)              (2,760)
  Net change in other liabilities                                                                 5,204                4,570
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                                        42,835               48,393
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Net change in loans outstanding                                                               (87,071)             (53,496)
  Purchases of investment securities held to maturity                                          (156,111)            (228,347)
  Purchases of investment securities available for sale                                        (247,535)              (1,678)
  Proceeds from maturities of investment securities held to maturity                            576,305              440,150
  Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available for sale                                -                  911
  Net change in overnight investments                                                          (301,685)             (96,071)
  Dispositions of premises and equipment                                                          5,526                4,693
  Additions to premises and equipment                                                           (17,720)             (18,871)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities                                               (228,291)              47,291
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Net change in time deposits                                                                   (56,236)            (244,656)
  Net change in demand and other interest-bearing deposits                                      210,996              156,030
  Net change in short-term borrowings                                                           (24,223)             (53,408)
  Repurchases of common stock                                                                      (281)                (260)
  Cash dividends paid                                                                            (2,879)              (2,620)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities                                                127,377             (144,914)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in cash and due from banks                                                               (58,079)             (49,230)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period                                                  811,657              758,987
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cash and due from banks at end of period                                                     $ 753,578            $ 709,757
=============================================================================================================================
CASH PAYMENTS FOR:
  Interest                                                                                     $ 49,729             $ 75,714
  Income taxes                                                                                       27                3,544
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Unrealized securities gains                                                                     $ 2,001              $ 1,405
Reclassification of premises and equipment to other real estate                                       -                6,108
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

</Table>

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003


Note A
Accounting Policies
     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do
not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete
financial statements.
     In the opinion of management, the consolidated statements contain all
material adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of First
Citizens BancShares, Inc. as of and for each of the periods presented, and all
such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of
contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
     These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and notes included in the 2002 First Citizens BancShares, Inc. Annual
Report, which is incorporated by reference on Form 10-K. Certain amounts for
prior periods have been reclassified to conform with statement presentations for
2003. However, except as noted below, the reclassifications have no effect on
shareholders' equity or net income as previously reported.
     BancShares adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 147 (Statement 147) during the fourth quarter of 2002.
Statement 147 required that any reclassification of previously recognized
unidentifiable intangible assets as goodwill be retroactively applied to
coincide with the adoption of SFAS No. 142 (Statement 142). As a result,
amortization expense related to assets that were reclassified pursuant to
Statement 147 has been reversed, and the financial statements and related
disclosures made for the first, second and third quarters of 2002 have been
restated. For the quarter ended March 31, 2002, noninterest expense declined
$2,516, income tax expense increased $890 and net income increased $1,626.
     In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor's
Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect
Guarantees of Indebtedness to Others, an interpretation of FASB Statements No.
5, 57 and 107 and a rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34 (Interpretation
45). Interpretation 45 elaborates on the disclosures to be made by a guarantor
in its financial statements about its obligations under guarantees issued.
Interpretation 45 also clarifies that a guarantor is required to recognize, at
the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation
undertaken. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of Interpretation
45 were applicable to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The
disclosure requirements were effective for financial statements of interim and
annual periods ending after December 31, 2002. The adoption of Interpretation 45
did not have a material impact on BancShares consolidated financial statements.

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003

<Page>


Note B
Operating Segments
     BancShares conducts its banking operations through its two wholly-owned
subsidiaries, FCB and Atlantic States Bank (ASB). Although FCB and ASB offer
similar products and services to customers, each entity operates in distinct
geographic markets and each entity has a separate management group.
Additionally, the financial results and trends of ASB reflect the de novo nature
of its growth.
     FCB is a mature banking institution that operates from a single charter
from its branch network in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. ASB began
operations in 1997 and currently operates branches in Georgia, Florida, Texas
and Arizona under a federal thrift charter. ASB will expand its branch network
into California during 2003.
     In the aggregate, FCB and its consolidated subsidiaries, which are integral
to its branch operation, and ASB account for more than 90 percent of
consolidated assets, revenues and net income. Other includes activities of the
parent company, two subsidiaries that are the issuing trusts for outstanding
preferred securities, Neuse, Incorporated, a subsidiary that owns real property
used in the banking operation and American Guaranty Insurance Corporation, a
property insurance company.
     The adjustments in the accompanying tables represent the elimination of the
impact of certain inter-company transactions. The adjustments to interest income
and interest expense neutralize the earnings and cost of inter-company
borrowings. The adjustments to noninterest income and noninterest expense
reflect the elimination of management fees and other services fees paid by one
company to another within BancShares' consolidated group.



Segment Disclosures
($ in thousands)
                                                                        March 31, 2003
                                          ASB           FCB         Other         Total    Adjustments  Consolidated
                                                                                      
Interest income                       $ 14,568     $ 116,339      $ 6,152      $ 137,059      $ (5,985)    $ 131,074
Interest expense                         5,299        32,169       10,675         48,143        (5,985)       42,158
                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                      9,269        84,170       (4,523)        88,916             -        88,916
Provision for loan losses                  196         5,367            -          5,563             -         5,563
                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after                9,073        78,803       (4,523)        83,353             -        83,353
      provision for loan losses
Noninterest income                       1,233        56,796         (538)        57,491        (1,104)       56,387
Noninterest expense                     10,189       101,356          841        112,386        (1,104)      111,282
                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                 117        34,243       (5,902)        28,458             -        28,458
Income taxes                                50        12,200       (2,086)        10,164             -        10,164
                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                $ 67      $ 22,043     $ (3,816)      $ 18,294           $ -      $ 18,294
                                 ====================================================================================
Period-end assets                  $ 1,095,895  $ 11,201,620  $ 1,747,422   $ 14,044,937  $ (1,656,196) $ 12,388,741






                                                                    March 31, 2002 (Restated)
                                           ASB           FCB         Other         Total   Adjustments  Consolidated
                                                                                      
Interest income                       $ 13,072     $ 140,487      $ 8,384      $ 161,943      $ (5,795)    $ 156,148
Interest expense                         6,399        47,046       11,487         64,932        (5,795)       59,137
                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                      6,673        93,441       (3,103)        97,011             -        97,011
Provision for loan losses                1,065         4,915            -          5,980             -         5,980
                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after                5,608        88,526       (3,103)        91,031             -        91,031
      provision for loan losses
Noninterest income                       1,218        53,929          305         55,452        (1,237)       54,215
Noninterest expense                      8,163        99,783          197        108,143        (1,237)      106,906
                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes              (1,337)       42,672       (2,995)        38,340             -        38,340
Income taxes                              (461)       15,047       (1,070)        13,516             -        13,516
                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                              $ (876)     $ 27,625     $ (1,925)      $ 24,824           $ -      $ 24,824
                                 ====================================================================================
Period-end assets                    $ 880,803  $ 10,622,373  $ 1,739,378   $ 13,242,554  $ (1,494,576) $ 11,747,978



First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003
<Page>

<Table>
<Caption>
Financial Summary
                                                                                                                           Table 1
                                                          2003                                      2002
                                                         First           Fourth            Third       Second                First
(thousands, except per share data and ratios)          Quarter          Quarter          Quarter       Quarter             Quarter
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       
Summary of Operations
Interest income                                      $ 131,074        $ 140,508        $ 147,742        $ 151,771        $ 156,148
Interest expense                                        42,158           47,712           52,127           55,042           59,137
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                                     88,916           92,796           95,615           96,729           97,011
Provision for loan losses                                5,563            7,156            5,592            7,822            5,980
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after provision
    for loan losses                                     83,353           85,640           90,023           88,907           91,031
Noninterest income                                      56,387           56,618           55,282           55,259           54,215
Noninterest expense                                    111,282          112,496          108,325          105,705          106,906
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                              28,458           29,762           36,980           38,461           38,340
Income taxes                                            10,164           10,422           13,190           13,659           13,516
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                            $ 18,294         $ 19,340         $ 23,790         $ 24,802         $ 24,824
===================================================================================================================================
Net interest income-taxable equivalent                $ 89,200         $ 93,106         $ 95,932         $ 97,074         $ 97,382
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selected Quarterly Averages
Total assets                                      $ 12,054,717     $ 12,076,262     $ 11,871,334     $ 11,756,150     $ 11,664,376
Investment securities                                2,476,426        2,544,930        2,553,957        2,641,898        2,704,077
Loans                                                7,642,673        7,543,548        7,450,271        7,312,384        7,207,757
Interest-earning assets                             10,741,160       10,771,571       10,592,386       10,491,811       10,353,509
Deposits                                            10,283,143       10,251,693       10,060,785        9,934,615        9,776,690
Interest-bearing liabilities                         9,173,567        9,234,127        9,131,569        9,075,549        9,073,637
Long-term obligations                                  253,389          253,412          253,973          262,224          283,993
Shareholders' equity                                 $ 979,664        $ 953,606        $ 935,735        $ 916,387        $ 894,689
Shares outstanding                                  10,472,065       10,475,377       10,477,886       10,480,527       10,481,661
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selected Quarter-End Balances
Total assets                                      $ 12,388,741     $ 12,231,890     $ 12,087,152     $ 11,867,758     $ 11,747,978
Investment securities                                2,362,130        2,539,236        2,502,026        2,464,779        2,576,383
Loans                                                7,704,492        7,620,263        7,521,834        7,434,662        7,248,088
Interest-earning assets                             10,991,877       10,534,469       10,647,042       10,438,386       10,422,451
Deposits                                            10,594,380       10,439,620       10,286,825       10,065,180        9,872,979
Interest-bearing liabilities                         9,293,396        9,298,080        9,208,776        9,121,010        9,099,535
Long-term obligations                                  253,386          253,409          253,970          253,979          283,988
Shareholders' equity                                 $ 983,635        $ 967,291        $ 949,871        $ 930,175        $ 907,907
Shares outstanding                                  10,470,236       10,473,294       10,476,137       10,480,391       10,480,624
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profitability Ratios (averages)
Rate of return (annualized) on:
   Total assets                                           0.62 %           0.64 %           0.80 %           0.85 %           0.86 %
   Shareholders' equity                                   7.61             8.05            10.09            10.86            11.25
Dividend payout ratio                                    15.71            13.51            11.01            10.55            10.55
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liquidity and Capital Ratios (averages)
Loans to deposits                                        74.32  %         73.58 %          74.05  %         73.61  %         73.72 %
Shareholders' equity to total assets                      8.13             7.90             7.88             7.79             7.67
Time certificates of $100,000 or more to total
   deposits                                              10.44            10.42            10.54            10.90            11.54
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share of Stock
Net income                                              $ 1.75           $ 1.85           $ 2.27           $ 2.37           $ 2.37
Cash dividends                                           0.275            0.250            0.250            0.250            0.250
Book value at period end                                 93.05            92.36            90.67            88.77            86.63
Tangible book value at period end                        83.39            81.73            80.23            78.28            76.07
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003

<Page>


<Table>
<Caption>
Outstanding Loans by Type
                                                                                                                 Table 2
                                                      2003                                2002
                                                     First          Fourth          Third          Second          First
(thousands)                                        Quarter         Quarter        Quarter         Quarter        Quarter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
Real estate:
   Construction and land development             $ 834,027       $ 799,278      $ 816,512       $ 801,294      $ 804,517
  Mortgage:
    1-4 family residential                         975,010       1,058,082      1,091,344       1,131,466      1,153,757
    Commercial                                   2,077,633       2,035,646      1,966,433       1,924,087      1,884,616
    Revolving                                    1,404,014       1,335,024      1,259,593       1,175,693      1,080,896
    Other                                          148,684         150,226        158,125         156,817        154,469
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total real estate                                5,439,368       5,378,256      5,292,007       5,189,357      5,078,255
Commercial and industrial                          936,387         925,775        937,987         954,369        936,353
Consumer                                         1,135,622       1,154,280      1,132,406       1,130,753      1,077,265
Lease financing                                    137,562         141,372        142,695         141,351        137,383
Other                                               55,553          20,580         16,739          18,832         18,832
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total loans                                  7,704,492       7,620,263      7,521,834       7,434,662      7,248,088
Less reserve for loan losses                       113,382         112,533        111,577         110,472        108,692
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net loans                                  $7,591,110      $7,507,730     $7,410,257      $7,324,190     $7,139,396
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003

<Page>


<Table>
<Caption>
Investment Securities                                                                                                 Table 3

                                    March 31, 2003                                  March 31, 2002
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Average   Taxable                               Average    Taxable
                                                   Fair   Maturity Equivalent                      Fair   Maturity Equivalent
(thousands)                            Cost       Value (Yrs./Mos.)    Yield           Cost       Value (Yrs./Mos.)     Yield
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
Investment securities held to maturity:
U. S. Government:
Within one year                 $ 1,364,403 $ 1,369,721    0/5          2.42 %  $ 2,263,950 $ 2,268,657    0/5           4.27 %
One to five years                   600,271     608,015    1/5          2.30        169,244     168,081    2/5           4.03
Five to ten years                        88          94    6/9          8.00            141         149    7/10          8.00
Ten to twenty years                  23,247      24,250    14/1         5.55              -           -
Over twenty years                     1,617       1,690    25/8         7.14          4,676       4,805    24/6          7.38
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                             1,989,626   2,003,770    0/11         2.42      2,438,011   2,441,692    0/8           4.26
State, county and municipal:
Within one year                           -           -                               1,104       1,118    0/5           6.81
One to five years                       480         502    2/3          5.55            500         516    3/3           5.55
Five to ten years                       144         155    6/1          5.88            143         149    7/1           5.88
Ten to twenty years                   1,416       1,555    15/1         6.02          1,413       1,507    15/9          5.69
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                 2,040       2,212    11/5         5.90          3,160       3,290    10/3          5.96
Other
Within one year                           -           -                                  35          35    0/8           3.46
One to five years                         -           -                                   -           -
Five to ten years                       250         250    5/4          7.75            250         250    6/4           7.75
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                   250         250    5/8          7.54            285         285    4/4           6.25
Total investment securities
    held  to maturity             1,991,916   2,006,232    0/11         2.43      2,441,456   2,445,267    0/7           4.33
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment securities available for sale:
U. S. Government:
Within one year                     292,223     293,238    0/3          3.05         76,661      76,516    0/8           2.08
One to five years                    20,446      20,593    1/4          1.90              -           -
Five to ten years                       569         547    8/10         4.48              -           -
Ten to twenty years                       -           -                               1,263       1,276    15/4          5.33
Over twenty years                       145         145    29/8         1.15              -           -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                               313,383     314,523    0/4          2.97         77,924      77,792    0/11          2.13
Marketable equity securities         40,526      55,691                              42,950      57,135
Total investment securities
     available for sale             353,909     370,214    0/4          2.97 %      120,874     134,927    0/11          2.13 %
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investment securities     $ 2,345,825 $ 2,376,446                         $ 2,562,330 $ 2,580,194
- --------------------------------------------------------                     ---------------------------



First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003

<Page>


<Table>
<Caption>
Consolidated Taxable Equivalent Rate/Volume Variance Analysis - Third Quarter
                                                                                                                  Table 4
                                                        2003                             2002         Increase (decrease) due to:
                                                    Interest                         Interest
                                           Average    Income   Yield       Average     Income  Yield                Yield
(thousands)                                Balance   Expense   /Rate       Balance    Expense  /Rate      Volume    /Rate     Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                
Assets:
Total loans                        $ 7,642,673   $ 113,714  6.02 %     $ 7,207,757  $ 124,568   6.98 % $ 6,846  $ (17,700)$ (10,854)
Investment securities:
  U. S. Government                   2,417,337      15,429  2.59         2,644,567     29,638   4.55    (1,989)   (12,220)  (14,209)
  State, county and municipal            3,546          48  5.49             4,563         92   8.18       (17)       (27)      (44)
  Other                                 55,543         377  2.75            54,947        435   3.21         5        (63)      (58)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investment securities          2,476,426      15,854  2.60         2,704,077     30,165   4.52    (2,001)   (12,310)  (14,311)
Overnight investments                  622,061       1,790  1.17           441,675      1,786   1.64       623       (619)        4
====================================================================================================================================
Total interest-earning assets     $ 10,741,160   $ 131,358  4.95 %    $ 10,353,509  $ 156,519   6.11 % $ 5,468  $ (30,629)$ (25,161)
====================================================================================================================================

Liabilities:
Deposits:
  Checking with Interest           $ 1,321,761       $ 609  0.19 %     $ 1,224,860      $ 947   0.31 %    $ 49     $ (387)   $ (338)
  Savings                              661,427         715  0.44           623,896        859   0.56        46       (190)     (144)
  Money market accounts              2,569,867       6,935  1.09         2,096,771      8,466   1.64     1,613     (3,144)   (1,531)
  Time deposits                      3,938,700      28,075  2.89         4,261,946     41,789   3.98    (2,716)   (10,998)  (13,714)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest-bearing deposits      8,491,755      36,334  1.74         8,207,473     52,061   2.57    (1,008)   (14,719)  (15,727)
Federal funds purchased                 35,171          97  1.12            43,562        169   1.57       (28)       (44)      (72)
Repurchase agreements                  161,275         130  0.33           200,799        270   0.55       (42)       (98)     (140)
Master notes                           226,448         333  0.60           292,766        680   0.94      (128)      (219)     (347)
Other short-term borrowings              5,529          21  1.54            45,044        250   2.25      (185)       (44)     (229)
Long-term obligations                  253,389       5,243  8.39           283,993      5,707   8.15      (624)       160      (464)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest-bearing liabilities $ 9,173,567    $ 42,158  1.86 %     $ 9,073,637   $ 59,137   2.64 % $(2,015) $ (14,964)$ (16,979)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate spread                                      3.09 %                              3.47 %
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income and net yield
  on interest-earning assets                    $ 89,200  3.37 %                   $ 97,382   3.81 %   $ 7,483  $ (15,665) $ (8,182)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans. Yields related to loans and
     securities exempt from both federal and state income taxes, federal income
     taxes only, or state income taxes only, are stated on a taxable-equivalent
     basis assuming a statutory federal income tax rate of 35% for each period,
     and a state income tax rate of 6.9% for each period.
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</Table>

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003

<Page>

<Table>
<Caption>
Summary of Loan Loss Experience and Risk Elements
                                                                                                              Table 5
                                                        2003                               2002
                                                       First        Fourth         Third         Second         First
(thousands, except ratios)                           Quarter       Quarter       Quarter        Quarter       Quarter
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           
Reserve balance at beginning of period             $ 112,533     $ 111,577     $ 110,472      $ 108,692     $ 107,087
Provision for loan losses                              5,563         7,156         5,592          7,822         5,980
Net charge-offs:
Charge-offs                                           (5,273)       (6,966)       (5,319)        (7,262)       (5,393)
Recoveries                                               559           766           832          1,220         1,018
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net charge-offs                                       (4,714)       (6,200)       (4,487)        (6,042)       (4,375)
=========================================================================================================================
 Reserve balance at end of period                  $ 113,382     $ 112,533     $ 111,577      $ 110,472     $ 108,692
=========================================================================================================================
Historical Statistics

Average loans                                    $ 7,642,673   $ 7,543,548    $7,450,271    $ 7,312,384   $ 7,207,757
Loans at period-end                                7,704,492     7,620,263     7,521,834      7,434,662     7,248,088
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk Elements
 Nonaccrual loans                                   $ 16,988      $ 15,521       $14,944       $ 17,397      $ 17,735
Other real estate                                      8,155         7,330        12,092         10,563        12,461
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total nonperforming assets                         $ 25,143      $ 22,851       $27,036       $ 27,960      $ 30,196
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Accruing loans 90 days or more past due             $ 7,349       $ 9,566        $8,928        $ 9,945      $ 11,012
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios
Net charge-offs (annualized) to average total loans     0.25  %       0.33  %       0.24  %        0.33  %       0.25  %
Reserve for loan losses to total loans at period-end    1.47          1.48          1.48           1.49          1.50
Nonperforming assets to total loans plus other
    real estate at period-end                           0.33          0.30          0.36           0.38          0.42
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</Table>

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
First Quarter 2003




                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

INTRODUCTION
     Management's discussion and analysis of earnings and related financial data
are presented to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of
operations of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries ("BancShares").
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes presented within this
report. This discussion primarily focuses on BancShares' two banking
subsidiaries: First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company ("FCB"), a North
Carolina-chartered bank that operates branches in North Carolina, Virginia and
West Virginia, and Atlantic States Bank ("ASB"), a federally-chartered thrift
institution that operates offices in Georgia, Florida, Texas and Arizona.
     We adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 147 (Statement 147) during the fourth quarter of 2002. Statement 147
required that any reclassification of previously recognized unidentifiable
intangible assets to goodwill be retroactively applied to coincide with the
adoption of SFAS No. 142 (Statement 142). As a result, amortization expense
related to assets that were reclassified pursuant to Statement 147 has been
reversed, and the financial statements and related disclosures made for the
first, second and third quarters of 2002 have been restated.
     In addition, we have reclassified certain other amounts for prior years to
conform with statement presentations for 2003. However, except for the adoption
of Statement 147, the reclassifications had no effect on shareholders' equity or
net income as previously reported. Intercompany accounts and transactions have
been eliminated.

SUMMARY
     Consolidated net income during the first quarter of 2003 was $18.3 million,
down 26.3% when compared to the $24.8 million earned during the corresponding
period of 2002. Net income per share during the first quarter of 2003 totaled
$1.75, compared to $2.37 during the first quarter of 2002. The decline in net
income for the first quarter resulted from reductions in net interest income and
higher noninterest expenses, partially offset by higher noninterest income. Our
annualized return on average assets was 0.62 percent for the first quarter of
2003 and 0.86 percent for the first quarter of 2002, while our annualized return
on shareholders' equity equaled 7.61% and 11.25% for the respective periods.
     Various profitability, liquidity and capital ratios are presented in Table
1. To understand the changes and trends in interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities, refer to the average balance sheets presented in
Table 4 for the first three months of 2003 and 2002.

INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
     At March 31, 2003, interest-earning assets totaled $10.99 billion, an
increase of $569.4 million or 5.5 percent from March 31, 2002. This increase
results from growth in the loan portfolio and overnight investments, offset by a
decline in the investment securities portfolio.
     Loans. At March 31, 2003 and 2002, gross loans totaled $7.70 billion and
$7.25 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2002, gross loans were $7.62
billion. The $456.4 million growth in loans from March 31, 2002 to March 31,
2003 results from growth within BancShares' revolving real estate-secured loans.
This growth has resulted from customer demand for BancShares' retail EquityLine
product during both 2002 and 2003. Revolving mortgage loans outstanding
increased from $1.08 billion at March 31, 2002 to $1.40 billion at March 31,
2003, an increase of $323.1 million or 29.9 percent. As of March 31, 2003,
consumer purpose loans have increased $58.2 million since March 31, 2002, a 5.4
percent increase, caused by growth in indirect automobile loans originated
through our sales finance unit.
     Mortgage loans secured by 1-4 family residences have declined from $1.23
billion at March 31, 2002 to $975.0 million at March 31, 2003, a $254.9 million
or 20.7 percent reduction. Although demand for residential mortgage loans surged
during 2002 and the first quarter of 2003 due to interest rate reductions, a
substantial portion of our residential mortgage loans is originated through
correspondents. Consequently, the heightened loan demand did not generate growth
in loans outstanding.
     During the first quarter of 2003, loans averaged $7.64 billion, an increase
of $434.9 million or 6.0 percent from the comparable period of 2002.
     We expect continued growth among revolving real estate loans during 2003,
and continued reduction in 1-4 family residential mortgage loans as existing
loan balances amortize or are refinanced. Despite the current low level of
interest rates, which would normally stimulate loan demand and business growth,
current weak economic conditions contribute to general uncertainty among
business and retail customers and therefore constrain our loan growth estimates
for 2003. All growth projections are subject to change as a result of further
economic deterioration or improvement.
     Investment securities. At March 31, 2003 and 2002, the investment portfolio
totaled $2.36 billion and $2.58 billion, respectively. At December 31, 2002, the
investment portfolio was $2.54 billion. Since March 31, 2002, investment
securities decreased $214.3 million, or 8.3 percent. Table 3 presents detailed
information relating to the investment securities portfolio.
     Investment securities held to maturity totaled $1.99 billion at March 31,
2003, compared to $2.42 billion at December 31, 2002 and $2.44 billion at March
31, 2002. The reduction in investment securities held to maturity during 2003
resulted from our decision to reinvest a portion of the proceeds from maturing
held to maturity securities in securities classified as available for sale and
overnight investments. This redirection of a portion of the investment
securities portfolio enhances the overall liquidity of the balance sheet. All
securities that are classified as held-to-maturity reflect BancShares' ability
and positive intent to hold those investments until maturity.
     Investment securities available for sale totaled $370.2 million at March
31, 2003, compared to $121.7 million at December 31, 2002 and $134.9 million at
March 31, 2002. The $248.5 million increase from March 31, 2002 is attributable
to the previously-discussed focus on balance sheet liquidity. We anticipate that
the amount of available-for-sale securities will continue to increase in 2003.
Available-for-sale securities are reported at their aggregate fair value.
     Investment securities averaged $2.48 billion during the first quarter of
2003, compared to $2.70 billion during the first quarter of 2002, a reduction of
$227.7 million or 8.4 percent. The reduction in average investment securities
occurred as loan demand and higher balances of overnight investments absorbed
liquidity that resulted from maturing securities.
     Overnight investments. Overnight investments totaled $925.3 million at
March 31, 2003, compared to $623.6 million at December 31, 2002 and $598.0
million at March 31, 2002, the $327.3 million or 48.4 percent growth resulting
from higher interest-bearing deposits in other banks. Overnight investments
averaged $622.1 million during the first quarter of 2003, an increase of $180.4
million or 40.8 percent from the first quarter of 2002. The higher balance in
overnight investments resulted from liquidity management decisions.
     Income on Interest-Earning Assets. Interest income amounted to $131.1
million during the first quarter of 2003, a $25.1 million or 16.1 percent
decrease from the first quarter of 2002. Lower yields triggered the decrease in
interest income in the first quarter of 2003 when compared to the same period of
2002. Table 4 analyzes interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities
for the first quarter of 2003 and 2002. To help assess the impact of the
tax-exempt status of income earned on certain loans, leases and municipal
securities, Table 5 is prepared on a taxable-equivalent basis. The
taxable-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets for the first quarter of
2003 was 4.95 percent, compared to 6.11 percent for the corresponding period of
2002, a 116 basis point reduction.
     Loan interest income for the first quarter of 2003 was $113.4 million, a
decrease of $10.8 million or 8.7 percent from the first quarter of 2002, the
result of lower yields. The taxable-equivalent yield on the loan portfolio was
6.02 percent during the first quarter of 2003, compared to 6.98 percent during
the same period of 2002. The reduced loan yields resulted from market-driven
rate movements as well as a larger mix of lower-yielding revolving real estate
secured loans in 2003. The effect of the decrease in yields on interest income
was partially offset by an increase in average loan volume, which increased
$434.9 million or 6.0 percent from the first quarter of 2002 to the first
quarter of 2003.
     Income earned on the investment securities portfolio amounted to $15.8
million during the first quarter of 2003 and $30.1 million during the same
period of 2002, a decrease of $14.3 million or 47.4 percent. This decrease in
income is the result of a 192 basis point reduction in the taxable-equivalent
yield and a $227.7 million decrease in average securities. The investment
securities portfolio taxable-equivalent yield decreased from 4.52 percent for
the quarter ended March 31, 2002, to 2.60 percent for the quarter ended March
31, 2003, the result of lower rates on newly-acquired securities when compared
to maturing securities. The short maturity of our investment securities
portfolio causes rapid repricing of the portfolio during periods of significant
changes in interest rates.
     Interest income from overnight investments was $1.79 million during the
first quarter of 2003, unchanged from the first quarter of 2002. Although
average overnight investments increased $180.4 million or 40.8 percent to $622.1
million, the yield on average overnight investments fell 47 basis points to 1.17
percent, offsetting the benefit of the volume growth. The yield reduction was
due to lower market interest rates.

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES.
     At March 31, 2003 and 2002, interest-bearing liabilities totaled $9.29
billion and $9.10 billion, respectively, compared to $9.30 billion as of
December 31, 2002. During the first quarter of 2003, interest-bearing
liabilities averaged $9.17 billion, an increase of $99.9 million or 1.1 percent
from the first quarter of 2002. This increase resulted from higher balances of
interest-bearing deposits. No deposits have been acquired or divested during
2003.
     Deposits. At March 31, 2003, total deposits were $10.59 billion, an
increase of $721.4 million or 7.3 percent over March 31, 2002. Compared to the
December 31, 2002 balance of $10.44 billion, total deposits have increased
$154.8 million. Noninterest-bearing deposits equaled $1.99 billion at March 31,
2003, up $377 million or 14.1 percent from March 31, 2002.
     Interest-bearing deposits averaged $8.49 billion during the first quarter
of 2003 compared to $8.21 billion during the first quarter of 2002, an increase
of $284.3 million or 3.5 percent, due primarily to growth among money market
accounts. Average money market accounts increased $473.1 million or 22.6 percent
from first quarter of 2002 to the first quarter of 2003. Average Checking With
Interest increased $96.9 million or 7.9 percent for the first quarter of 2002 to
the same period of 2003. These increases were offset by lower time deposits.
Average time deposits decreased $323.2 million or 7.6 percent to $3.94 billion
from March 31, 2002 to March 31, 2003.
     We attribute the growth in both noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing
deposits to our focus on deposit gathering and retention required to fund loan
demand in our market areas. Additionally, deposit growth has resulted from
investors seeking the safety of traditional bank deposits due to continued
volatility within the equity markets. However, the changes within specific types
of deposits represent significant shifts in the mix of our interest-bearing
deposits. During the first quarter of 2002, average time deposits represented
51.9 percent of total interest-bearing deposits, while average money market
accounts housed 25.5 percent of interest-bearing deposits. During the first
quarter of 2003, time deposits declined to 46.4 percent, while average money
market accounts increased to represent 30.3 percent of total deposits.
     The shift away from time deposits in favor of less restrictive transaction
and money market accounts results from the low market interest rates currently
offered on time deposit products. Although it is unclear how long the economic
uncertainty will continue to adversely affect the equity markets, we continue to
focus our efforts on providing competitive deposit products to attract and
retain core deposit relationships. Accordingly, we anticipate continued growth
in deposits, although we expect time deposits will continue to contract until
interest rates return to more historically normal levels.
     Time deposits of $100,000 or more averaged 10.44 percent of total deposits
during the first quarter of 2003, compared to 11.54 percent during the same
period of 2002.
     Short-term borrowings. At March 31, 2003, short-term borrowings totaled
$438.4 million compared to $462.6 million at December 31, 2002 and $558.0
million at March 31, 2002. For the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002,
short-term borrowings averaged $428.4 million and $582.2 million, respectively.
The decline in short-term borrowings is primarily the result of reductions among
master notes and overnight repurchase obligations. Customer interest in these
products has diminished due to the very low market rates of interest being paid
on these commercial cash management products.
     Long-term obligations. At March 31, 2003 and 2002, long-term obligations
totaled $253.4 million and $284.0 million, respectively. In each case, the
outstanding balance includes $250 million in trust preferred capital securities:
$150 million that were issued in 1998 and $100 million that were issued in
October of 2001. The March 31, 2002 balance also includes $30 million in
borrowings that were repaid during the second quarter of 2002. During the first
quarter of 2003, long-term obligations averaged $253.4 million, compared to
$284.0 million during 2002.
     Expense on Interest-Bearing Liabilities. BancShares' interest expense
amounted to $42.2 million during the first quarter of 2003, a $17.0 million or
28.7 percent decrease from the first quarter of 2002. The lower interest expense
was the result of lower market interest rates. The rate on average
interest-bearing liabilities was 1.86 percent during 2003, a 78 basis point
decrease in the aggregate blended rate on interest-bearing liabilities. The rate
on average liabilities was 2.64 percent during the first quarter of 2002.

NET INTEREST INCOME
     Net interest income totaled $88.9 million during the first quarter of 2003,
a decrease of $8.1 million or 8.3 percent from the first quarter of 2002. The
deterioration in net interest income results from interest rate reductions.
     Although growth among average interest-earning assets of $388 million
contributed to a favorable volume variance during the first quarter of 2003 when
compared to the same period of 2002, the unfavorable impact of lower interest
rates more than offset the benefit of volume growth. The taxable-equivalent net
yield on interest-earning assets was 3.37 percent for the first quarter of 2003,
compared to 3.81 percent achieved for the first quarter of 2002. The taxable
equivalent interest rate spread for the first quarter of 2003 was 3.09 percent
compared to 3.47 percent for the same period of 2002. While downward adjustments
have impacted both the yield on interest-earning assets and the rate on
interest-bearing liabilities, the extremely low level to which interest rates
have fallen has not allowed us to adjust the interest rates paid on many deposit
products in a similar magnitude as that which our interest-earning assets were
affected.
     At current interest rate levels, we anticipate continued reductions in net
interest income when compared to 2002. This general trend of declining net
interest income is expected to continue until market interest rates begin to
increase or until economic conditions improve sufficiently to allow the
resumption of high levels of loan growth .
     Despite the current pressure on net interest income, our asset/liability
management function continues to focus on maintaining high levels of balance
sheet liquidity and managing our interest rate risk. Management maintains
portfolios of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities with
maturities or repricing opportunities that will protect against wide interest
rate fluctuations, thereby limiting, to the extent possible, the ultimate
interest rate exposure. Management is aware of the potential negative impact
that movements in market interest rates may have on net interest income.
     Market risk is the potential economic loss resulting from changes in market
prices and interest rates. This risk can either result in diminished current
fair values or reduced net interest income in future periods. As of March 31,
2003, BancShares' market risk profile has not changed significantly from
December 31, 2002. Changes in fair value that result from movement in market
rates can not be predicted with any degree of certainty. Therefore, the impact
that future changes in market rates will have on the fair values of financial
instruments is uncertain.

ASSET QUALITY
     Reserve for loan losses. Management continuously analyzes the growth and
risk characteristics of the total loan portfolio under current economic
conditions in order to evaluate the adequacy of the reserve for loan losses.
Such factors as the financial condition of the borrower, fair market value of
collateral and other considerations are recognized in estimating probable credit
losses. At March 31, 2003, the reserve for loan losses amounted to $113.4
million or 1.47 percent of loans outstanding. This compares to $112.5 million or
1.48 percent at December 31, 2002, and $108.7 million or 1.50 percent at March
31, 2002.
     The provision for loan losses charged to operations during the first
quarter of 2003 was $5.6 million, compared to $6.0 million during the first
quarter of 2002. The $417,000 decrease in the provision for loan loss during
2003 primarily resulted from lower loan loss estimates. Net charge-offs of loans
during the first quarter of 2003 were $4.7 million compared to $4.4 million
during the first quarter of 2002. On an annualized basis, these net charge-offs
represent 0.25 percent of average loans outstanding during both periods.
Management remains committed to maintaining high levels of credit quality. Table
5 provides details concerning the reserve and provision for loan losses over the
past five quarters.
     Nonperforming assets. At March 31, 2003, BancShares' nonperforming assets
amounted to $25.1 million or 0.33 percent of gross loans plus foreclosed
properties, compared to $22.9 million at December 31, 2002, and $30.2 million at
March 31, 2002. Despite some volatility in the amount of nonperforming assets in
recent quarters, we view the current levels of nonperforming assets as evidence
of strong asset quality. Management continues to closely monitor nonperforming
assets, taking necessary actions to minimize potential exposure to losses. We
anticipate that the level of nonperforming assets will not decline until
consistently positive trends in economic activity are evident.
     Management considers the established reserve adequate to absorb estimated
probable losses that relate to loans outstanding at March 31, 2003. While
management uses available information to establish provisions for loan losses,
future additions to the reserve may be necessary based on changes in economic
conditions or other factors. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an
integral part of their examination process, periodically review the reserve for
loan losses. These agencies may require the recognition of adjustments to the
reserve based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of
their examination.

NONINTEREST INCOME
     During the first three months of 2003, noninterest income was $56.4
million, compared to $54.2 million during the same period of 2002. The $2.2
million or 4.0 percent increase was due to growth in cardholder and merchant
services income, mortgage income and commission-based income, partially offset
by other than temporary impairment losses recognized on investment securities
available for sale during 2003.
     During the first three months of 2003, cardholder and merchant services
income increased $1.4 million or 12.5 percent, reaching $12.4 million compared
to $11.0 million during the same period a year ago. This increase resulted from
higher interchange income for credit and debit card transactions as well as
growing income from merchant services. We continue to project growth in credit
and debit card transaction volumes, although we anticipate that recent disputes
between card issuers and merchants will result in a lower interchange rate. Our
merchant network continues to grow as the number of merchant services providers
continues to decline, a trend we expect will continue during 2003.
     Prompted by the historically low interest rates available for residential
mortgage loans, refinance activity remained extremely strong during the first
quarter of 2003, and we recorded a 24.3 percent increase in mortgage income.
Mortgage income totaled $4.1 million compared to $3.3 million earned during the
same period of 2002. Subject to the impact changes in interest rates may have on
refinance activity, we anticipate mortgage originations will remain brisk and
that income derived from the mortgage operation will continue to exceed 2002
levels.
     Commission-based income increased $685,000 or 12.8 percent to $6.0 million
during the first three months of 2003, compared to $5.3 million during the same
period of 2002. First Citizens Investor Services and FCB's insurance agency
operations continue to expand their customer bases, generating higher levels of
commission income, a trend we expect to continue throughout 2003.
     Fees from processing services increased 9.7 percent during the first
quarter of 2003, primarily due to volume growth among transactions processed for
client banks. Subject to continued growth among banks to whom we provide
processing services, we expect these revenues will continue to increase.
     During the first quarter of 2003, we recognized securities losses of
$975,000, all of which relates to other than temporary impairment losses
recognized on our investment securities available for sale due to sustained
reductions in market value. Given continued weakness in equity market values,
there may be further other than temporary impairment of investment securities,
although we are unable to estimate the likelihood or the possible amount of
those losses at this time.
     Service charge income was unchanged from 2002, and we expect little growth
in service charge income during 2003. Trust income declined 6.8 percent during
the first quarter of 2003, continuing the 2002 trend. To the extent that our
fees derived from many accounts are tied to asset values, the reduction in the
market value of assets under management has resulted in an adverse impact on
trust income.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE
     Noninterest expense was $111.3 million for the first three months of 2003,
a 4.1 percent increase over the $106.9 million recorded during the same period
of 2002. Much of the $4.4 million increase in total noninterest expense relates
to personnel and equipment expenses.
     Salaries and wages increased $1.5 million or 3.1 percent during 2003 when
compared to the same period of 2002, primarily due to an expanded workforce
required in new markets and incentive compensation costs. Employee benefits
increased $942,000 to $11.5 million for the first three months of 2003. This 8.9
percent increase in employee benefits was the result of higher pension costs
that resulted from a reduction in the discount rate used to estimate future
obligations, asset losses and reductions in estimated future returns on pension
plan assets.
     Equipment expense increased $1.4 million or 12.9 percent to $12.0 million
for the first quarter of 2003 when compared to the same period in 2002. Much of
the increase in equipment expense relates to software costs, including
depreciation of capitalized software, maintenance costs and rental expenses.
Occupancy expense was $9.7 million during the first quarter of 2003 and $9.0
million during the first quarter of 2002. The $723,000 or 8.0 percent increase
resulted from higher building depreciation expense.

INCOME TAXES
     Income tax expense amounted to $10.2 million during the three months ended
March 31, 2003, compared to $13.5 million during the same period of 2002. The
24.8 percent decrease in income tax expense was the result of lower pretax
income. The effective tax rates for these periods were 35.7 percent and 35.3
percent, respectively.

LIQUIDITY
     Management relies on the investment securities portfolio as a source of
liquidity. Those securities designated as available-for-sale may be sold as
needed to support liquidity demands, while maturities of held-to-maturity
securities are staggered to provide ongoing access to further liquidity.
Additionally, deposits generated throughout the branch network provide funding
for asset growth. In the event additional liquidity is needed, we maintain
readily available sources to borrow funds through our correspondent bank
network.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY
     BancShares maintains an adequate capital position and exceeds all minimum
regulatory capital requirements. At March 31, 2003 and 2002, the leverage
capital ratios of BancShares were 9.30 percent and 8.99 percent, respectively,
surpassing the minimum level of 3 percent. As a percentage of risk-adjusted
assets, BancShares' Tier 1 capital ratios were 13.44 percent at March 31, 2003
and 13.20 percent at March 31, 2002. The minimum ratio allowed is 4 percent of
risk-adjusted assets. The total risk-adjusted capital ratios were 14.77 percent
at March 31, 2003 and 14.53 percent as of March 31, 2002. The minimum total
capital ratio is 8 percent. BancShares and its subsidiary banks exceed the
capital standards established by their respective regulatory agencies.

SEGMENT REPORTING
     BancShares conducts its banking operations through two wholly-owned
subsidiaries, FCB and ASB. Although FCB and ASB offer similar products and
services to customers, each entity operates in distinct geographic markets and
each entity has separate management groups. Additionally, the financial results
and trends of ASB reflect the de novo nature of its operation.
     Atlantic States Bank. ASB's total assets increased from $880.8 million at
March 31, 2002 to $1.10 billion at March 31, 2003, an increase of $215.1 million
or 24.4 percent. This growth resulted from loan growth generated by the
expanding geographic presence of its branch network. ASB's net interest income
increased $2.6 million or 38.9 percent during the first three months of 2003,
when compared to the same period of 2002, the result of balance sheet growth
that more than offset the impact of falling interest rates. Provision for loan
losses declined $869,000 or 81.6 percent due to reduced loan growth and lower
loss estimates during 2003.
     ASB's noninterest income increased $15,000 or 1.2 percent during the first
three months of 2003, the net result of higher service charge income and
cardholder and merchant services income, largely offset by reductions in
mortgage income. Noninterest expense increased $2.0 million or 24.8 percent
during 2003. Higher personnel, occupancy and equipment costs reflect the impact
of the expanded branch network, much of which relates to the expansion of ASB
into Texas, Arizona and California.
     ASB recorded net income of $67,000 during the first three months of 2003
compared to a net loss of $876,000 during the same period of 2002. This
represents a favorable variance of $943,000, primarily the result of ASB's
balance sheet growth and lower provision for loan losses . Substantially all of
ASB's growth has been on a de novo basis, and ASB continues its efforts to build
a customer base in its highly competitive markets. We continue to seek new
growth opportunities for ASB, in new and existing markets. Our initial
investments in these markets will result in higher levels of noninterest expense
in ensuing quarters.
     First Citizens Bank. FCB' total assets increased from $10.62 billion at
March 31, 2002 to $11.20 billion at March 31, 2003, an increase of $580.9
million or 5.5 percent. FCB' net interest income decreased $9.3 million or 9.9
percent during the first three months of 2003, the result of a significant
reduction in the net yield on interest-earning assets. Provision for loan losses
increased $452,000 or 9.2 percent due to higher net charge-offs.
     FCB's noninterest income increased $2.9 million or 5.3 percent during the
first three months of 2003, primarily the result of higher cardholder and
merchant services income and mortgage income. Noninterest expense increased $1.6
million or 1.6 percent during the first three months of 2003, primarily due to
higher personnel costs. FCB recorded net income of $22.0 million during the
first three months of 2003 compared to $27.6 million during the same period of
2002. This represents a $5.6 million or 20.2 percent reduction in net income.

CURRENT ACCOUNTING AND REGULATORY ISSUES
     Effective January 1, 2002, BancShares adopted the provisions of Statement
142, which modified our accounting for goodwill and intangible assets.
Previously, our capitalized intangible assets were amortized over their
estimated useful lives, and the amortization expense related to those assets was
included within noninterest expense. Upon adoption of Statement 142, we
discontinued amortization of all amounts that we had previously classified as
goodwill. We continued to amortize all other intangible assets over their
estimated useful lives.
     During the fourth quarter of 2002, we adopted Statement 147, although we
were required to apply certain provisions of Statement 147 retroactively to the
date we adopted Statement 142. Guidance within Statement 147 resulted in the
reclassification to goodwill of certain amounts previously recorded as
intangible assets. Statement 147 required the reversal of any amortization
expense recorded on those reclassified assets since the adoption of Statement
142. Accordingly, amortization expense initially recorded during the first,
second and third quarters of 2002 was reversed during the fourth quarter, and
prior periods have been restated to reflect that change.
     In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, Rescission of FASB Statements
No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections
(Statement 145). Statement 145 amends existing guidance on reporting gains and
losses on the extinguishment of debt to prohibit the classification of the gain
or loss as extraordinary. Statement 145 also amends SFAS No. 13 to require
sale-leaseback accounting for certain lease modifications that have economic
effects similar to sale-leaseback transactions. The adoption of Statement 145
for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002 did not have a material effect on
our consolidated financial statements.
     In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs
Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" (Statement 146), which becomes
effective prospectively for exit or disposal activities initiated after December
31, 2002. Under Statement 146, we will record a liability for a cost associated
with an exit or disposal activity when that liability is incurred and can be
measured at fair value. In periods after initially recording a liability, we
will adjust the liability to reflect revisions to the expected timing or amount
of estimated cash flows, discounted at the appropriate interest rate originally
used to measure the liability. Statement 146 also establishes accounting
standards for employee and contract termination costs. The impact from the
adoption of Statement 146 is dependent on the nature and extent of exit and
disposal activities. Consequently, at this time, we are unable to estimate the
ultimate impact from the adoption of Statement 146.
     In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor's
Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect
Guarantees of Indebtedness to Others, an interpretation of FASB Statements No.
5, 57 and 107 and a rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34 (Interpretation
45). Interpretation 45 elaborates on the disclosures to be made by a guarantor
in its financial statements about its obligations under guarantees issued.
Interpretation 45 also clarifies that a guarantor is required to recognize, at
the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation
undertaken. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of Interpretation
45 are applicable to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002 and
did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. The
disclosure requirements were effective for financial statements of interim and
annual periods ending after December 15, 2002.

     In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123
(Statement 148). Statement 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a
voluntary change to the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee
compensation. In addition, this Statement amends the disclosure requirements of
SFAS 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial
statements. Certain of the disclosure modifications are required for fiscal
years ending after December 15, 2002. As we currently have no stock-based
compensation, the adoption of Statement 148 did not have a material impact on
our consolidated financial statements.
     In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of
Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 51 (Interpretation 46).
Interpretation 46 addresses the consolidation by business enterprises of
variable interest entities as defined in the Interpretation. Interpretation 46
applies immediately to variable interests in variable interest entities created
after January 31, 2003, and to variable interests in variable interest entities
obtained after January 31, 2003. The application of this Interpretation 46 is
not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
     Management is not aware of any current recommendations by regulatory
authorities that, if implemented, would have or would be reasonably likely to
have a material effect on liquidity, capital ratios or results of operations.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
     This discussion may contain statements that could be deemed forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, which statements are
inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are
statements that include projections, predictions, expectations or beliefs about
future events or results or otherwise are not statements of historical fact.
Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualifying words (and
their derivatives) such as "expect," "believe," "estimate," "plan," "project,"
"anticipate," or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of BancShares
and its management about future events. Factors that could influence the
accuracy of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the
financial success or changing strategies of BancShares' customers, actions of
government regulators, the level of market interest rates, and general economic
conditions.


<Page>




                                   Exhibit 99

                                  CERTIFICATION

     The undersigned hereby certifies that, to his or her knowledge, (i) the
Form 10-Q filed by First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (the "Issuer") for the
quarter ended March 31, 2003, fully complies with the requirements of Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (ii) the information
contained in that report fairly presents, in all material respects, the
financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer on the dates and for
the periods presented therein.

May 13, 2003                         /s/ Lewis R. Holding
                                     Lewis R. Holding
                                     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                                     /s/ Kenneth A. Black
                                     Kenneth A. Black
                                     Vice President and Chief Financial Officer