ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Centura Bank (NYSE: CBC) has
made an important addition to its array of financial services by adding title
insurance to the line of property and casualty insurance offered through
its Centura Insurance Services Inc. subsidiary.
    Centura is the first statewide bank to offer title insurance, which
protects homeowners claims to their property arising from title discrepancies
or irregularities.  The roll out means that Centura now offers all types of
insurance including credit, life, health, commercial, homeowners, auto and
liability insurance.
    "Offering title insurance was the next logical step to meeting all of the
financial needs of our clients," said Centura President Cecil W. Sewell.
"Centura supports the traditional North Carolina practice of independent
attorney title certifications and closings.  The staff at Centura Title Agency
plans to work closely with these attorneys by providing exceptional service
and underwriting expertise to better serve their clients."
    Centura entered the insurance business differently than most other banks.
Instead of buying an insurance agency that typically offers only one insurance
product, Centura has built its own agency with licensed agents who represent
multiple companies and products.
    "The companies we represent, Chicago Title Insurance Company, Lawyers
Title Insurance Corporation and Security Union Title Insurance Company, are
known for their integrity and financial strength," said Reuben Harris, who
heads Centura's title insurance agency.  "We wanted companies that would be
responsive to the needs of our certifying attorneys, clients and
policyholders.
    "Our customers realize the importance of protecting their homes, which is
one of the biggest investments they will ever make," Harris said.  "But even
the most comprehensive homeowner's policy can't protect from claims against
the title to the property.  That's why Owners Title Insurance should be an
essential part of the home-buying process."
    With assets of $5.8 billion, Centura provides a complete line of banking,
investment, insurance and trust services to individuals and businesses
throughout North Carolina. It provides services through 155 financial centers,
more than 200 ATMs at financial centers, Wal-Mart and Sam's stores, the
Centura Highway telephone banking center and Quicken and Microsoft Money, the
leading personal finance software packages. Centura is opening 33 bank offices
in Hannaford supermarkets in the Carolinas and Virginia by the end of 1997.

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