Exhibit 12.1 First Citizens BancShares, Inc. Statement Re Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges Six Months Ended June 30, -------------------------------- 1998 1997 ---- ---- RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES EXCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS: Net income $ 33,205 34,176 Income taxes 18,153 19,376 -------------------------------- Income before income taxes (a) 51,358 53,552 -------------------------------- Interest expense 145,090 126,248 Less: interest on deposits 128,189 116,715 -------------------------------- Fixed charges, excluding interest on deposits (b) $16,901 9,533 -------------------------------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges excluding interest on deposits [(a)+(b)]/(b) 4.04x 6.62x ====== ====== Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------------------------------ 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES EXCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS: Net income 70,558 65,467 56,906 50,969 55,585 Income taxes 39,492 36,207 30,423 26,867 28,641 ------------------------------------------------------------ Income before income taxes (a) 110,050 101,674 87,329 77,836 84,226 ------------------------------------------------------------ Interest expense 268,013 248,250 224,664 148,126 137,934 Less: interest on deposits 243,749 230,905 207,234 137,292 130,354 ------------------------------------------------------------ Fixed charges, excluding interest on deposits (b) 24,264 17,345 17,430 10,834 7,580 ------------------------------------------------------------ Ratio of earnings to fixed charges excluding interest on deposits [(a)+(b)]/(b) 5.54x 6.86x 6.01x 8.18x 12.11x ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Six Months Ended June 30, -------------------------------- 1998 1997 ---- ---- RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES INCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS: Net income $ 33,205 34,176 Income taxes 18,153 19,376 --------------------------------- Income before income taxes (a) 51,358 53,552 --------------------------------- Fixed charges (interest expense) (b) 145,090 126,248 --------------------------------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges including interest on deposits [(a)+(b)]/(b) 1.35x 1.42x ====== ====== Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------------------------------ 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES INCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS: Net income 70,558 65,467 56,906 50,969 55,585 Income taxes 39,492 36,207 30,423 26,867 28,641 ----------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes (a) 110,050 101,674 87,329 77,836 84,226 ----------------------------------------------------------- Fixed charges (interest expense) (b) 268,013 248,250 224,664 148,126 137,934 ----------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges including interest on deposits [(a)+(b)]/(b) 1.41x 1.41x 1.39x 1.53x 1.61x ====== ====== ====== ====== =====