First Citizens Bancshares Inc. has declared a quarterly dividend of 30 cents per share on the Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend is payable Jan. 4, 2010, to shareholders of record Dec. 21, 2009.

First Citizens Bancshares Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. For the third quarter, the company reported the net interest income was $135,277,000 as compared to the net interest income of $127,319,000 for the same period a year ago. Net interest income after provision for credit losses was $117,012,000 as compared to the net interest income after provision for credit losses of $107,311,000 for the same period a year ago. Income before income taxes was $133,366,000 as compared to the income before income taxes of $29,101,000 for the same period a year ago. Net income was $82,468,000 as compared to the net income of $19,554,000 for the same period a year ago. Net income per share was $7.90 as compared to the net income per share of $1.87 for the same period a year ago. Return on average assets was 1.83% as compared to the return on average assets of 0.47% for the same period a year ago. Book value per share was $145.16 as of September 30, 2009 as compared to the book value per share of $144.17 as of September 30, 2009 for the same period a year ago. Return on average equity was 22.45% as compared to the return on average equity of 5.20% for the same period a year ago. For the nine months, the company reported the net interest income was $368,114,000 as compared to the net interest income of $374,251,000 for the same period a year ago. Net interest income after provision for credit losses was $310,367,000 as compared to the net interest income after provision for credit losses of $330,965,000 for the same period a year ago. Income before income taxes was $154,216,000 as compared to the income before income taxes of $121,209,000 for the same period a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.75% as compared to the return on average assets of 0.64% for the same period a year ago. Net income per share was $9.33 as compared to the net income per share of $7.49 for the same period a year ago. Net income was $97,331,000 as compared to the net income of $78,165,000 for the same period a year ago. Return on average equity was 9.01% as compared to the return on average equity of 7.05% for the same period a year ago.

The Board of Directors of First Citizens Bancshares Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of 30 cents per share on the Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend is payable Oct. 5, 2009, to shareholders of record Sept. 21, 2009.