Franklin National Scores Three First Place Finishes in Annual Deposit Competition FRANKLIN, Tenn., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The annual Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) market share scorecard for June 30, 2003 is in and Franklin National Bank came in first among all banks in Franklin, Fairview and Williamson County, Tennessee. Franklin National also claims the third largest market share in Spring Hill and Brentwood, Tennessee. Franklin National Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Financial Corporation. "We believe the deposit share rankings are further confirmation we're providing the level of service and types of services our customers want and expect," said Gordon E. Inman, Chairman, President & CEO of Franklin Financial Corporation. "We are most grateful for the loyalty of our customers and the dedication of our employees. Thank you, Williamson, Davidson and Maury Counties, for giving us the greatest customers and team members anywhere." Each year, the FDIC evaluates the relative market share of insured banks in each city, county and Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in the country. Fifteen banks compete for the Franklin, Tennessee market. Franklin National maintained its first place position in the city of Franklin for the fifth year in a row. The Brentwood rankings saw Franklin National jump from fourth place to third. In that market, deposits grew from $126 million to $181 million for a 44% increase over the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2003. In Williamson County, nineteen banks compete for market share. Once again, Franklin National finished in first place with a $100 million increase in deposits countywide over the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2003. Deposits in Fairview grew more than 34%. That resulted in an increase in market share from 44.52% to 52.78% over the same period. "Fairview is a relatively new market for Franklin National," commented Inman. "Our manager, Tom Randolph, assistant manager, John Blade, and entire staff can take great pride in their accomplishments over the last twelve months. To grow from a small office to the largest bank in town is a tremendous achievement. My congratulations and appreciation go out to all our Fairview customers and staff members." Within the Nashville market, Franklin National is the largest locally- owned FDIC-insured institution. Franklin National maintained their eighth position in the Nashville MSA with increases in both deposits and market share. Franklin Financial Corporation is a financial services holding company and the parent company of Franklin National Bank, Franklin Financial Mortgage and Franklin Financial Securities. The common stock of Franklin Financial Corporation is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "FNFN". The corporate website is located on the Internet at fnfn.net. Franklin National Bank operates nine retail branches in Williamson, Davidson, and Maury counties and can be found on the Internet at FranklinNetBranch.com. On July 24, 2002, Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB-News) and Franklin Financial Corporation announced the signing of a definitive agreement in which Fifth Third will acquire Franklin Financial Corporation and its subsidiary, Franklin National Bank, headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee. On March 27, 2003, the definitive agreement was amended to extend the termination date to June 30, 2004 and to revise the exchange ratio. THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE WHICH ARE NOT HISTORICAL FACTS ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MADE PURSUANT TO THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DESCRIBING FRANKLIN FINANCIAL CORPORATION'S FUTURE PLANS, PROJECTIONS, STRATEGIES AND EXPECTATIONS, ARE BASED ON ASSUMPTIONS AND INVOLVE A NUMBER OF RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, MANY OF WHICH ARE BEYOND FRANKLIN FINANCIAL CORPORATION'S CONTROL. ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED DUE TO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES, COMPETITION IN THE INDUSTRY, CHANGES IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND VARIOUS OTHER FACTORS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SUCH FACTORS, WHICH COULD AFFECT FRANKLIN FINANCIAL CORPORATION, IS CONTAINED IN FRANKLIN FINANCIAL CORPORATION'S FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. DATASOURCE: Franklin Financial Corporation CONTACT: Kristy Williams, +1-615-595-5531, or David McCurrach, +1-615-595-5531, both of Franklin Financial Corporation Web site: http://www.fnfn.net/ http://www.franklinnetbranch.com/

Copyright