EXHIBIT 99.1

                               [BB&T Letterhead]

November 4, 1996

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           News Release

Media and Analyst Contacts:

SOUTHERN NATIONAL                               UNITED CAROLINA BANCSHARES

Scott E. Reed                                   Ronald C. Monger
Senior Executive Vice President                 Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer                         Chief Financial Officer
(910) 733-3088                                  (910) 642-1351

Bob Denham           B. Gloyden Stewart         John F. McLaughlin
Vice President       Senior Vice President      Senior Vice President
Public Relations     Investor Relations         Corporate Communications
(910) 733-2202       (919) 246-4219             (910) 642-1347



SOUTHERN NATIONAL AND UCB ANNOUNCE MERGER AGREEMENT

        WINSTON-SALEM and WHITEVILLE, N.C.--Southern National Corporation
(NYSE:SNB) and United Carolina Bancshares Corporation (NASDAQ:UCAR) jointly
announced today the signing of a merger agreement that will create the largest
bank in the Carolinas and the 30th largest bank holding company in the nation.

        The merger between the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Southern National and
the Whiteville, N.C.-based UCB will form a financial institution with more than
$25 billion in assets, the largest share of deposits in North Carolina, at
approximately 20%, and the third largest share of deposits in South Carolina, at
11%. UCB's banking subsidiaries, United Carolina Bank and United Carolina Bank 
of South Carolina, will merge into Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T) and 
Branch Banking and Trust Company of South Carolina, respectively, the principal
banking subsidiaries of Southern National.

        "Southern National's announced acquisition strategy is to pursue very
high quality banks and thrifts in our current markets with the ultimate goal of 
improving our financial performance and fundamental franchise value," said 
Southern National Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John A. Allison. "We 
could not be more pleased with the prospects of this merger with UCB, which 
meets

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these objectives. This in-market merger significantly strengthens our base of
business in North and South Carolina. Both institutions have solid capital
positions, excellent credit quality, strong branch office networks as well as
very compatible corporate cultures. Considering the well-recognized benefits
and potential cost savings inherent in an in-market merger, this transaction
enables us to grow our franchise value and improve upon our strong 
efficiencies and momentum in selling fee-based products and services."

        The merger, unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both
companies, will be accounted for as a pooling of interests in which UCB
shareholders will receive 1,135 shares of Southern National common stock for
each share of UCB common stock held. The transaction, which will be structured 
as a tax-free exchange, is valued at $985 million based on Southern National's 
closing price on November 1, 1996, of $35.25. The deal is valued at $40.01 per 
share of UCB common stock. Under the terms of the agreement, UCB has granted to
Southern National an option to purchase a number of UCB shares up to 19.9% of 
currently outstanding shares. A similar provision has been granted to UCB by 
Southern National wherein UCB has an option to purchase Southern National 
shares up to 9.9% of currently outstanding shares. These option agreements are 
only exercisable under certain circumstances.

        UCB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer E. Rhone Sasser will serve on
Southern National's Board of Directors. "BB&T is committed to developing a
strong partnership with their customers, which is a philosophy UCB has always
pursued," said Mr. Sasser. "We anticipate an intensified level of competition
from banks and other non-bank financial service companies in the future, and
therefore believe this merger is right for the customers and communities served
by UCB. It provides our customers with continued superior quality service from a
world-class financial institution. BB&T's community banking structure, which
allows decisions affecting the customer to be made locally, together with the
resources and extensive array of products and services available through BB&T, 
will result in substantial advantages for our customers. This is also great 
news for our communities, as BB&T has always been a strong corporate citizen 
and our combined institution will continue to provide outstanding civic 
leadership."

        "We are very enthusiastic about combining two financial institutions
with such strong earnings and financial positions," said Mr. Allison. "UCB is a 
growing, customer-oriented organization which is an excellent match for us in 
terms of credit culture and strategic focus. We are convinced that the synergies
between our two institutions will produce significant long-term benefits for 
our customers, employees and shareholders. Also, positioned as the clear market 
leader in the Carolinas, BB&T will be better able to continue to meet the needs 
of the communities we serve."

        The merger, which is subject to approval by the shareholders of both 
companies as well as by federal and state banking regulators, is expected to be
completed by the second quarter of 1997.

        Southern National currently operates 425 banking offices in 219 cities 
and towns throughout the Carolinas and Virginia, while UCB operates 153 branch 
offices in 89 communities in North and South Carolina.

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