EXHIBIT 99


                         PREMIER BANKSHARES CORPORATION

          This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.


         The undersigned hereby appoints William R. Rakes and J. Robert Buchanan
and each of them,  proxies of the undersigned,  with power of  substitution,  to
vote all shares of Common Stock of Premier  Bankshares  Corporation  ("Premier")
which the undersigned could vote if personally present at the Special Meeting of
Stockholders  to be held May 15, 1997,  or at any  adjournment  or  adjournments
thereof.


PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE  AFFILIATION  AND MERGER OF PREMIER  WITH AND INTO FIRST
VIRGINIA  BANKS,  INC.  ("FIRST  VIRGINIA"),  AS PROVIDED IN AND PURSUANT TO THE
AGREEMENT  AND PLAN OF  REORGANIZATION  DATED AS OF  OCTOBER  29,  1996  BETWEEN
PREMIER AND FIRST  VIRGINIA,  AND THE RELATED PLAN OF MERGER DATED AS OF OCTOBER
29, 1996 BETWEEN PREMIER AND FIRST VIRGINIA.

          [   ] FOR               [   ] AGAINST          [   ] ABSTAIN


         The undersigned  further gives the proxies  authority to vote according
to their best judgment with respect to any other matters  properly coming before
the meeting and any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

         This proxy ballot when  properly  executed  will be voted in the manner
directed herein by the undersigned. If no direction is given, this proxy will be
voted FOR the proposal to approve the affiliation and merger of Premier with and
into First Virginia.

         The undersigned  acknowledges  receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting
of  Stockholders  and of the Proxy  Statement-Prospectus,  both dated  April 15,
1997. Please sign exactly as name(s) appear(s) below.

- --------------------------------------------   Please sign your name(s) exactly
Signature                                      as shown imprinted hereon. If 
                                               stock is registered in more than
                                               one name, all owners must sign.
- --------------------------------------------   If acting as executor or trustee
Signature, if held jointly                     or otherwise in a fiduciary
                                               capacity, please sign as such
                                               fiduciary.
Date:_______________________________________


PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.