DURHAM, N.C., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Central Carolina Bank, a subsidiary
of National Commerce Financial Corporation (NYSE: NCF), today announced plans
to become a nationally chartered bank when it combines its charter with sister
subsidiary bank, National Bank of Commerce.  The move does not affect
customers or employees, but will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of
bank operations.
    "Since our merger with National Commerce Financial last year, we have had
tremendous success in melding the strengths of these organizations into a
single, stronger entity," said Richard Furr, CCB president.  "Combining
individual charters will create additional cost-saving opportunities from
compliance, regulatory and other operational standpoints as we continue to
move forward."
    From a customer perspective, the conversion process will be transparent
and it will be business as usual.  There is no impact on jobs, local decision-
making authority or customer account numbers.  The bank name will continue to
operate under the name of Central Carolina Bank in the Carolinas.
    The conversion is expected to receive approval from the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency in October, and is anticipated to be completed by
January 1, 2002, when Central Carolina Bank is merged with and into National
Bank of Commerce under the national bank charter.

    About Central Carolina Bank
    CCB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Commerce Financial, operates
228 branches in North and South Carolina, primarily located along the I-85
corridor from Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C. to Greenville-Spartanburg-
Anderson, S.C.  National Commerce Financial is a leading seller and marketer
of diversified financial and consulting services.  With $18.0 billion in
assets and approximately 400 locations throughout the Southeast, NCF is
headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., and maintains operational headquarters in
Durham, N.C.

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