PRESS RELEASES

McComish most recently served as First Union's regional president in Nashville and middle Tennessee. Since joining the company in 1987, he has held several leadership positions, including corporate banking manager in Baltimore.

"Chris's excellent track record makes him my first choice to lead Atlanta—one of the nation's fastest growing areas," said Hugh Long, president of First Union-Georgia. "Chris is passionate about the business and committed to the customer, so I know he will add tremendous value as we continue to tap the potential of this great market."

In his new role, McComish will be responsible for managing consumer and commercial banking operations in the Atlanta region, including oversight of nearly 100 financial centers and approximately $3.7 billion in deposits. In Tennessee, he was responsible for 35 financial centers and $1.4 billion in deposits.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, McComish graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in international economics. While in Nashville, McComish served on the board of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, where he was also vice chairman of education. In addition, he was a board member for the Girl Scout Council of Cumberland Valley, Boy Scouts of America, Nashville Sports Council, Tennessee Business Roundtable and Tennessee Tomorrow, Inc.

First Union (NYSE:FTU), with $247 billion in assets and stockholders' equity of $15 billion at September 30, 2000, is a leading provider of financial services to 15 million retail and corporate customers throughout the East Coast and the nation. The company operates full-service banking offices in 11 East Coast states and Washington, D.C., and full-service brokerage offices in 45 states and international offices worldwide. Online banking products and services can be accessed through www.firstunion.com.