RALEIGH, N.C., March 5, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- First Citizens Investor Services has won a national award for "Best Program of the Year" for regional-sized institutions from the Bank Insurance & Securities Association (BISA). The 2007 Program of the Year Award is the BISA's highest honor bestowed upon the brokerage firm of a U.S. financial institution.
"We are thrilled to be recognized by our industry peers for our efforts to provide exceptional service and implement new initiatives for our clients," said Ramsey Jones, president of First Citizens Investor Services. "This prestigious award acknowledges the hard work of our team and is a testament to our associates' high level of commitment."
First Citizens Investor Services received the top award in a field of 300 eligible programs from the regional class ($2 billion to $25 billion in assets).
First Citizens Investor Services Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is a subsidiary of Raleigh-headquartered First Citizens Bank and part of the company's Wealth Management Services Group. The group, which serves the investment and asset management needs of individual and institutional clients, has more than $17 billion in assets under management and custody.
"Brokerage is an important part of our total wealth services offerings, and this honor is indicative of the overall quality of the comprehensive services we provide," said Carol Yochem, manager of Wealth Management Services at First Citizens Bank. "We certainly applaud the outstanding work by our Investor Services team, which is deserving of this national award."
The BISA board selected First Citizens Investor Services based on outstanding performance in a number of categories including productivity, marketing initiatives, product innovation, education, and compliance and technology improvements. One initiative of note is the introduction of an Asset Management Account, which links a client's brokerage accounts at First Citizens Investor Services with a checking account provided by First Citizens Bank.
Jones accepted the award at the BISA's 2007 annual awards event in Hollywood, Fla., on March 4.
The BISA is the nation's leading trade association dedicated to serving the needs of those responsible for marketing securities, insurance and other investment products through commercial banks, trust companies, savings institutions and credit unions. Awards for Program of the Year are given for a securities, insurance or combined program that demonstrates the consistent and effective implementation of a set of best practices within the industry.
First Citizens Investor Services Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer based in Raleigh, N.C., offering a full array of investment products and services. The firm is committed to developing a customized and comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of its clients through a dedicated staff of associates who provide committed, personal service.
First Citizens Investor Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Citizens Bank. Founded in 1898, First Citizens Bank operates 340 branches in more than 200 cities and towns in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland. The Raleigh-headquartered bank is a major subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares Inc. (Nasdaq:FCNCA), which has $16.2 billion in assets.
First Citizens is committed to providing superior financial services to individual customers and small to mid-sized businesses. For more information about First Citizens Bank and its services, visit firstcitizens.com or call toll-free 1-888-FC DIRECT (1-888-323-4732).