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COASTAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES STOCK DIVIDEND
TUESDAY MAY 27, 2003
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.

Coastal  Financial   Corporation   (Nasdaq:   CFCP)  today  announced  that  the
Corporation's Board of Directors,  at a meeting held today, declared a 10% stock
dividend.  The stock dividend will be payable June 24, 2003 to  Shareholders  of
record as of June 10, 2003.

Michael C. Gerald,  President and Chief Executive  Officer of Coastal  Financial
Corporation  stated,  "This action on the part of our Board is in recognition of
the Corporation's  continued  outstanding  financial performance as indicated by
the 11.7% increase in fiscal 2003  year-to-date  net income and 15.97% return on
average Shareholders'  equity. These significant  accomplishments pay tribute to
our superb Leadership Group and Associates and reflect the continuing  emergence
of our primary market area as one of the fastest growing in the nation."

As  a  result  of  the  common  stock  dividend,  earnings  per  share  will  be
retroactively  restated for all previous periods.  Earnings per share,  adjusted
for the stock  dividend,  for the year ended  September  30, 2002 were $0.87 per
share ($0.85 per share diluted), as compared to $0.78 per share ($0.77 per share
diluted) for the comparable  2001 period.  The current cash dividend policy will
be adjusted for the effect of this stock dividend.

Coastal Financial  Corporation,  headquartered in Myrtle Beach,  South Carolina,
offers a broad range of  commercial,  consumer and mortgage  financial  services
through two  subsidiaries,  Coastal Federal Bank and Coastal Investor  Services,
Inc. Coastal Federal Bank, with assets over $1 billion, is a federally chartered
and FDIC insured community bank with eighteen offices serving the communities of
Horry and  Georgetown  Counties,  South  Carolina and  Brunswick and New Hanover
Counties,  North  Carolina.  Coastal  Investor  Services  engages in the sale of
alternative financial products.  Additional information about Coastal Federal is
available on its web site at www.coastalfederal.com.

STOCK TRADING INFORMATION

The common stock of Coastal Financial  Corporation is traded on the Nasdaq Stock
Market under the symbol "CFCP." For information, contact Raymond James Financial
Services at 1-843-918- 7600,  Herzog,  Heine,  Geduld,  Inc. at  1-800-523-4936,
Knights Securities at 212-336-8690,  Spear, Leeds & Kellogg at 1-800-526-3160 or
Trident Securities at 1-800-222-2618.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND DIRECT STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Coastal Financial  Corporation offers  Shareholders a Dividend  Reinvestment and
Direct  Stock  Purchase  Plan which  provides  existing and new  shareholders  a
convenient means for making  purchases of Coastal  Financial shares free of fees
and brokerage  commissions  and at a discount to market price.  Additional  cash
contributions,  up to $1,000 per  quarter,  can be made to  purchase  additional
shares. For more information, contact the Transfer Agent at 1-800-866-1340, Ext.
2514, or Investor Relations.



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SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

Shareholders  desiring to enroll in the Coastal Financial  Corporation  Dividend
Reinvestment  Plan,  change  the name,  address,  or  ownership  of their  stock
certificates,  report lost or stolen  certificates,  or to consolidate  accounts
should  contact the Transfer  Agent at  1-800-866-1340,  Ext.  2514, or Investor
Relations.

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Analysts, investors and others seeking financial information should contact:

      o      Susan J. Cooke - Senior Vice President and Secretary
      o      Coastal Financial Corporation
      o      2619 Oak Street
      o      Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577
      o      (843) 205-2676

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release may contain certain  "forward-looking  statements"  within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  that
represent  Coastal  Financial  Corporation's  (the  "Company")  expectations  or
beliefs  concerning  future events.  Such forward- looking  statements are about
matters that are  inherently  subject to risks and  uncertainties.  Factors that
could  influence  the matters  discussed in certain  forward-looking  statements
include the timing and amount of revenues that may be recognized by the Company,
continuation of current revenue and expense trends  (including  trends affecting
charge-offs),  absence of unforeseen changes in the Company's markets, legal and
regulatory  changes,  and general  changes in the economy  (particularly  in the
markets served by the Company).  Because of the risks and uncertainties inherent
in forward looking statements, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on them,  whether  included in this news release or made  elsewhere from time to
time by the Company or on its behalf.  The Company  disclaims any  obligation to
update such  forward-looking  statements.  In addition,  statements in this news
release  regarding  historical stock price  performance are not indicative of or
guarantees of future price performance.