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First Citizens Bank, Luverne, Alabama, Assumes All of the Deposits of First Lowndes Bank, Fort Deposit, Alabama

First Lowndes Bank, Fort Deposit, Alabama, was closed today by the Alabama Banking Department, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with First Citizens Bank, Luverne, Alabama, to assume all of the deposits of First Lowndes Bank.

The four branches of First Lowndes Bank will reopen under normal business hours beginning Saturday as branches of First Citizens Bank. Depositors of First Lowndes Bank will automatically become depositors of First Citizens Bank. 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 former First Lowndes Bank branch until they receive notice from First Citizens Bank that it has completed systems changes to allow other First Citizens Bank branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of First Lowndes 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 1-800-450-5417. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time (CDT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., CDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m. CDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., CDT. Interested parties also can visit the FDIC’s website.

First Lowndes Bank is the 36th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the first in Alabama. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was New South Federal Savings Bank, Irondale, on December 18, 2009.

FDIC 03/19/10