FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2005

For information, contact

First Citizens Bank
Craig Nix
Phone: (803) 733-2659

First Citizens Bancorporation approves a going-private transaction.

On September 13, 2005, the Board of Directors of First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc. (the “Company”) approved a going-private transaction in which holders of 170 or fewer shares of Company voting common stock will generally receive $735.00 per share in cash for their shares, with holders of more than 170 shares of Company voting common stock retaining their shares. The transaction will be effected by means of a merger of an interim corporation with and into the Company and is subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders. A copy of the Form 8-K which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission and a letter that will be sent to the Company’s shareholders describing the transaction in more detail can be viewed by clicking here.