First National Bank of the South Launches New Branding Initiative and Mascot

    SPARTANBURG, S.C., Aug. 21 /EMWNews/ -- First National

Bank of the South is setting out to make a powerful connection with the

community with the launch of its new branding initiative. First National's

brand is centered around the tagline, "We can do that," a refreshing

promise explaining the bank's commitment to surprise and delight clients

with quick responses and unconditional loyalty.



    The brand message is delivered by First National's new mascot, Jack.

Appropriately named, he's a Jack Russell Terrier who demonstrates the

bank's can-do attitude in a naturally energetic, loveable and entertaining

way.



    "It's a warm, encouraging brand message that we want everyone to hear,"

First National's President and CEO, Jerry L. Calvert, remarked. "We want

our customers to expect consistent responsiveness; a personal banking

experience; a financial partner who's accountable and committed to serving

needs; and extra courtesies that distinguish us from our competitors."



    The bank is also launching a new Web site, http://www.fnbwecandothat.com, to

complement its optimistic brand message. More than just an account

resource, it's an interactive place to connect clients with bankers and the

new mascot. The brand will continue to be communicated through upcoming

advertisements that show the essence of the principles carried out every

day by the bank.



    "This is our opportunity to build a stronger emotional connection with

clients," Calvert says. "These ads really bring to life First National's

reputation of being very focused, attentive and energetic with a strong

worth ethic."



    First National Bank of the South is a subsidiary of First National

Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: FNSC), an $853 million asset bank holding company

based in Spartanburg, South Carolina. First National Bank of the South

provides a wide range of financial services to consumer and commercial

customers with 12 full-service branches in five South Carolina counties. A

13th office is expected to open its doors in the Fort Mill/Tega Cay

community of York County in early 2009. Additional information is available

online at http://www.fnbwecandothat.com.



    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS



    Certain statements in this press release contain "forward-looking

statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform

Act of 1995, such as statements concerning our future loan and deposit

growth, plans, objectives, expectations, performance, credit quality, loan

losses, events and the like, as well as any other statements, including

those regarding potential effects of the merger, that are not historical

facts and are thus prospective. Such forward-looking statements are subject

to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results

to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such

forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: changes in

worldwide and U.S. economic conditions, the effects of changes in interest

rates, volatile credit and financial markets, a further downturn in the

economy or real estate markets, branch construction delays, greater than

expected non-interest expenses or excessive loan losses, deterioration in

real estate values, and uncertainties associated with the acquisition of

Carolina National Corporation, including the integration of operations and

the cost of combining the banks, whether the transaction will be accretive

to First National's shareholders, business disruption following the merger

including adverse effects on employees, the quality of Carolina National's

assets that First National acquired, the ability of First National to

retain customers of Carolina National following the merger, acceptance of

First National's products and services in the Columbia markets. For a more

detailed description of certain factors, many of which are beyond First

National's control, that could cause or contribute to our actual results

differing materially from future results expressed or implied by our

forward-looking statements, please see First National's Annual Report on

Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and its other filings with

the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that the

assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any

of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements

are based on management's estimates and assumptions with respect to future

events and financial performance and are inherently uncertain and difficult

to predict. Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results

contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The

inclusion of forward-looking information should not be construed as a

representation that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated

by either company will be achieved. First National does not intend to and

assumes no responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking

statement contained in this press release, whether as a result of new

information, future events or otherwise.