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Bank of North Carolina, Thomasville, North Carolina, Assumes All of the Deposits of Beach First National Bank, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Beach First National Bank, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was closed today by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Bank of North Carolina, Thomasville, North Carolina, to assume all of the deposits of Beach First National Bank.

The seven branches of Beach First National Bank will reopen on Monday as branches of Bank of North Carolina. Depositors of Beach First National Bank will automatically become depositors of Bank of North Carolina. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage. Customers should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from Bank of North Carolina that it has completed systems changes to allow other Bank of North Carolina branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of Beach First National Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

Customers who have questions about today’s transaction can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-866-954-9536. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., EDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., EDT. Interested parties also can visit the FDIC’s Web site.

Beach First National Bank is the 42nd FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the first in South Carolina.

FDIC 04/09/2010