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                                                                      Exhibit 15

August 10, 2001



To the Board of Directors of First Community Bancshares, Inc.


We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
Nos. 333-63865 and 333-31338 pertaining to the Employee Stock Ownership and
Savings Plan and the 1999 stock Option Plan, respectively, of First Community
Bancshares, Inc. of our interim review report dated August 10, 2001, relating to
the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of First Community
Bancshares, Inc. that are included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 2001.



/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Charleston, West Virginia