<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>

FIDELITY BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Exhibit 27 - FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          42,420
<SECURITIES>                                   132,064
<RECEIVABLES>                                  663,963
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,263
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          26,994
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,902
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 873,562
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          791,839
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           675
<OTHER-SE>                                      81,048
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   873,562
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                65,116
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   59,004
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   164
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,131
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,112
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,562
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,550
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,550
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.53