Press Releases

“While we selected First Union as our 401(k) and profit sharing plan provider for many reasons, we were especially impressed with their willingness to go out of their way to meet our specific plan needs,” said Lou Houck, Treasurer at Applied Tech Products. “Another key factor in our decision to choose First Union as our provider was that they offered us the most flexible plan options.”

Applied Tech Products (ATP) is a focused rubber and plastics company that provides a total-solution capability to its customers. ATP’s principal platforms include health and beauty care, engineered plastics, medical and automotive markets. Combined sales of the 11 companies ATP has acquired in the past three years are more than $180 million.

“First Union is committed to providing superior retirement products and service to our customers, and this requires flexibility and adaptability,” said Joseph Ready, Senior Vice President and Director of First Union’s Benefit Services Group. “We are pleased that Applied Tech Products recognized our ability and willingness to meet their specific retirement needs and selected us as their plan provider.”

About First Union’s Benefit Services Group

With $50 billion in assets under care, First Union’s Benefit Services Group offers a wide array of retirement products and is the 16th largest defined contribution/401(k) provider in the nation. First Union is committed to providing fully-bundled defined contribution, defined benefit and nonqualified retirement plans that exceed customer expectations. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Benefit Services Group services retirement plans for over 575,000 participants. For more complete information about the Benefit Services Group, please visit them on the web at www.firstunion.com/401k or call 800.917.9343.

First Union’s Benefit Services Group is a subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB), created through the September 1, 2001, merger of First Union and Wachovia with assets of $330 billion and $28 billion in stockholders’ equity (as of December 31). Wachovia Corporation is a leading provider of financial services to 19 million retail and corporate customers throughout the East Coast and the nation. The company operates full-service banking offices under the First Union and Wachovia names in 11 East Coast states and Washington, D.C., and offers full-service brokerage with offices in 49 states and global services through more than 30 international offices. Online banking and brokerage products and services are available through wachovia.com and firstunion.com.