Exhibit 99

                                  CERTIFICATION
                      (Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350)

The undersigned hereby certifies that (i) the foregoing Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q filed by Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc. (the "issuer") for the quarter
ended March 31, 2003, fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) the information contained
in that Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operations of the issuer on the dates and for the
periods presented therein.

Date: May 1, 2003              /s/ John C. Pegram, Jr.
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               John C. Pegram, Jr.,
                               President and Chief Executive Officer


Date: May 1, 2003              /s/ David A. Bean
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               David A. Bean,
                               Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

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