All former IronStone Bank branches in 12 states are now operating under the First Citizens Bank name. Headquartered in Raleig ... h, North Carolina, First Citizens Bank operates more than 430 branches in 17 states and the District of Columbia. In January 2011, IronStone Bank merged with and became a division of First Citizens Bank, a North Carolina-chartered commercial bank. Prior to that merger, IronStone operated under a federal savings association charter and was a subsidiary of First Citizens Bank's holding company, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. The name transition from IronStone to First Citizens follows completion of a technical conversion that puts both banks on the same system, resulting in increased efficiencies and elimination of duplicate operations. Signs at the former IronStone offices will be changed to First Citizens Bank by early 2012. First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ: FCNCA) has $21 billion in assets. Forbes named BancShares the fourth-best bank in the nation in its 2011 Best Banks in America list. Founded in 1898, First Citizens Bank has received multiple national awards for customer satisfaction and overall stability and security. For more information, visit firstcitizens.com or call toll-free 1.888.FC DIRECT (1-888.323.4732). Member FDIC. read more