First Citizens Bank, one of North Carolina's largest financial institutions, has joined the growing list of financing sources participating on the DealerTrack online auto finance platform. The agreement will allow First Citizens Bank to electronically receive customer credit applications from automobile dealers, fueling faster credit decisions and an improved customer experience for car buyers, according to DealerTrack.

First Citizens' dealer customers who use DealerTrack can now electronically submit credit applications to the financing source, as well as monitor changes in application status and obtain credit reports. In addition, dealers working with First Citizens can perform a range of tasks like monitoring rates and programs and creating prospect reports.

DealerTrack said it now also offers dealers the ability to integrate with the industry's top dealer management systems.

About DealerTrack, Inc.

With more than 22,000 dealers and more than 60 financing sources currently connected, DealerTrack is an independent Web-based platform

designed to automate and accelerate the automotive financing process.

The DealerTrack suite of products includes credit application processing, credit report access, electronic contracting and lease comparisons, all in one integrated solution.

Additionally, the DealerTrack platform features integration with top dealer management systems for credit application processing and credit report access.

More information on DealerTrack is available

at www.dealertrack.com or by calling (877) 357-8725.

About First Citizens Bank

Founded in 1898, First Citizens Bank operates 338 branches in 200 cities and towns in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

Headquartered in Raleigh, the bank has $12.39 billion in assets.

First Citizens Bank has a long-term association with auto dealers serving North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia.

For more information about First Citizens Sales Finance, contact Fred Thomas, group vice president and manager of sales finance, toll free at (800) 356-0161.