PRESS RELEASES

The aggressive expansion will include the opening of nine new branches in convenient locations in Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties. The first new branch opened in October in the lobby of the Esperante Building at 222 Lakeview Ave., where Wachovia’s East Florida regional headquarters is located.

"This expansion plan represents Wachovia’s commitment to meeting the financial needs of current and future customers who visit, work or live in East Florida," said Rebekah M. Lowe, region executive. "We look forward to serving new communities, and the renovations will allow our customers to conduct their business in a more efficient and comfortable environment."

Wachovia will renovate another 31 branches. The expansion plan also calls for installing three remote ATMs in new locations. The locations for the new branches and ATMs will be announced as the real estate transactions are completed.

In the first week of December, Wachovia opened another corporate financial services office in Ft. Lauderdale, located at 350 East Las Olas Blvd. This facility houses Business Banking, Real Estate Finance, Sales Finance, Consumer Banking, Private Financial Advisors, Trust and Investments and Mortgage personnel. In March, a new branch location will be opening at the Las Olas address.

"We plan to continue our growth in Florida," said Ms. Lowe. "Wachovia is committed to growing its franchise in the state and to providing customers with a standard of financial services that is second to none."

Wachovia Bank, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation, an interstate bank holding company with assets of $65.8 billion as of September 30, 1999. Wachovia Bank has more than 700 offices and 1,300 ATMs in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. In Florida, Wachovia has seven corporate financial services offices in Broward, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Merritt Island and Orlando and 37 branches in Palm Beach, Broward, Martin and Brevard counties.