PRESS RELEASES

Contact: Allison Rash
(704) 383-9763

October 29, 1997
First Union Names Buckland Head of Florida's General Banking Group; Pearce Promoted to Jacksonville Area President

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jamie Buckland, head of the Commercial Real Estate Group in Virginia/Maryland/D.C., has been named executive vice president and General Banking Group head for First Union's Florida market. Buckland will report to David Carroll, who was recently named president of the Florida operation.

"Jamie is a natural leader and motivator," said Carroll. "His depth of experience and b customer contact skills will bring additional focus and support to our line organization."

Buckland, 43, joined First Union through the 1993 merger with Dominion Bankshares, and has worked in the commercial real estate field for 15 years. He is a graduate of Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia. As head of the General Banking Group, he will provide leadership to Florida's city presidents and all retail, commercial and corporate banking activities. Buckland has served on the Affordable Housing Committee for the District of Columbia Building Industry Association for the past two years.

Roger G. Pearce has been named area president for the Jacksonville/First Coast market. Pearce takes on this role after serving as head of Florida's Corporate Banking Group since May, 1996. He has been with the company for 11 years in various commercial banking positions. Pearce, 40, has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and a master's degree in finance from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Pearce will report to Price Schwenck, North Florida market leader.

"Roger's history and excellent rapport with Jacksonville's commercial customers will be an asset in his new role," said Carroll. "His b history of community involvement also supports First Union's commitment to enhancing the quality of life in our communities." Pearce's community involvement includes membership on the boards of the executive committee of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, St. Mark's Episcopal Day School, St. Vincent's Foundation, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Boy Scouts of America-North Florida Council and the membership in the Downtown Rotary Club of Jacksonville.

First Union Corp. is a leading provider of financial services to more than 12 million retail and corporate customers throughout the East coast and the nation. It is the nation's sixth-largest banking company with assets of $144 billion as of September 30, 1997.

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