Hope H. Connell, Executive VP of First Citizens Bank, Raleigh, NC, and Chairman of the NCBA, and
John T. Tilton, President, CEO and Chairman of The Heritage Bank, Lucama, NC,
Rings The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell

Friday, December 2, 2005
at NASDAQ's MarketSite
in New York City.

The North Carolina Bankers Association

Hope H. Connell, Executive Vice President of First Citizens Bank, Raleigh, NC, and Chairman of the NCBA, and John T. Tilton, President, CEO and Chairman of The Heritage Bank, Lucama, NC, preside over the closing bell. The North Carolina Bankers Association offers legislative liaison in the North Carolina general assembly and the U.S. Congress in behalf of its membership. It provides educational and training programs, media relations, insurance benefits programs, the Carolina Banker magazine, regulatory and compliance assistance and other services to its member financial institutions.

Click for larger pictures of the NASDAQ MarketSite. Additional Photographs for 12/2/2005 Download Hi-Res Quality Photo of this NASDAQ Market Open - Pictured: The North Carolina Bankers Association Rings The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell These photos are Copyright 2005, The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. and available for re-publication by the news media only. Any commercial use is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. © Copyright 2005, The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.