We've been helping families and businesses make more of their finances for 125 years. We've shared their dreams, helped make budgets work harder and built financial plans to last them the rest of their lives. And in that time, we've built a solid track record of service, stability and reliability.

Our company was founded in 1898 in North Carolina as the Bank of Smithfield with just $10,000 of capital. We were Johnston County's sole bank and served primarily agricultural customers. Steady growth quickly became our hallmark. In 1935, R.P. Holding leads the way and after 17 years of astute leadership, R.P. Holding was elected president and chairman of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company. The bank's branch network stretched beyond Smithfield to Raleigh and into Eastern North Carolina.

In the 1970s, we opened branches across North Carolina. By 1974, we had moved our headquarters from Smithfield to Raleigh, and our assets surpassed $1 billion.

In 1994 First Citizens began operating our first-ever branches outside of our home state of North Carolina when we acquired a bank based in West Virginia. During the great recession, First Citizens remained safe and stable entering new markets while keeping an eye on the long term. Frank B. Holding Jr. was elected Chairman of First Citizens in 2009. He, along with his sister Vice Chairwoman Hope Holding Bryant, represent the third generation of Holding family leadership. In 2013 we launched our Forever First brand, reinforcing the promise that the principles instilled by R.P. Holding will continue to guide First Citizens for generations. We understand the financial decisions you make today will shape the way you live for decades. And we plan to be with you every step of the way.