CHARLOTTE – Wachovia Corporation (NYSE: WB) has won the 2005 Brandweek Customer Loyalty Award in the bank category, the second time this year customers have recognized the company for its service in a major independent survey.

RALEIGH – North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives have earmarked at least $500,000 for classroom-based projects through its funding of the Bright Ideas Education Grant Program for 2005-2006.

SANFORD – The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., today announced that it has completed the acquisition of three convenience stores and one development site in Charleston, S.C.

DUNN – New Century Bancorp (OTC Bulletin Board: NCBC), the holding company for New Century Bank and New Century Bank of Fayetteville, reported net income for the quarter ended March 31 of $805,000, compared to $84,000 for the same period in 2004.

ASHEBORO – FNB Corp. (Nasdaq: FNBN) announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement for the merger of United Financial, Inc. into FNB.

TROY – The Board of Directors of First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FBNC), the parent company of First Bank, has declared a cash dividend of 17 cents per share payable July 25 to shareholders of record as of June 30.

FAYETTEVILLE – The Cumberland County Business Council has released the results of an image study that shows Fayetteville’s image among local residents and people elsewhere in North Carolina has improved since a similar study was conducted in 2000.

TRINITY – American Capital Strategies Ltd. has invested an additional $19 million in Confluence Holdings Corp., a move that will enable the Trinity-based manufacturer and distributor of kayaks, canoes and paddlesports accessories to purchase the water sports business assets of Watermark Paddlesports Inc.

WINSTON-SALEM – BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) has introduced the new BB&T Payroll Card, the third prepaid product the company has unveiled in the past year.