CHARLOTTE – Wachovia Corp. (NYSE: WB) has successfully completed the merger integration of SouthTrust systems, products and signs to the Wachovia platform.

SANFORD – The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 19 convenience stores in North Carolina from Lee-Moore Oil Company, which has been operating the stores under the TruBuy and On-The-Run banners.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration has increased its small business size standards to account for inflation, restoring small business eligibility to those firms that may have lost their small business status because of inflation since February 2002.

RALEIGH -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob McGehee announced several organizational changes affecting Progress Energy, Inc.'s (PGN) Power Operations and Diversified Operations groups and the company's Progress Ventures subsidiary.

SANFORD – The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., today announced record financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter and year ended Sept. 29.

CHARLOTTE – Millions of consumers can help protect themselves from fraud and identity theft by simply downloading a newly launched toolbar from the bankofamerica.com home page.

WINSTON-SALEM – BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) has created a new Payments Services Division and named BB&T veteran Bennett Bradley to lead it.

MOUNT GILEAD – McRae Industries, Inc. (Amex: MRI.A; MRI.B) announced that it has filed certificates of amendment to its certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware to effect a 1-for-200 reverse stock split, to be followed immediately by a 200-for-1 forward stock split, of the outstanding shares of both classes of its common stock (Class A and Class B).

MOUNT GILEAD – McRae Industries, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MRINA; MRINB) reported consolidated net revenues from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 of $18,560,000, compared to $20,434,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2005.

MOUNT GILEAD – McRae Industries, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MRINA; MRINB) has declared a dividend of 8 cents per share on the company’s Class A Common Stock payable on Dec. 30 to shareholders of record on Dec. 16.

SANFORD – Kelly MarCom, a full-service marketing communications firm, announced that it has renewed its marketing contract providing multiple services related to the NASCAR fan event in Joliet, Ill.

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley has announced that applications will be accepted beginning Jan. 1 for the new One North Carolina Small Business Fund, which will provide grants to small businesses to help them conduct research and techonology development projects.

CARY – Crescent Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CRFN), the parent company of Crescent State Bank, announced that Ryan Beck & Co., Inc., the sole underwriter of its recently completed stock offering, has exercised its option to purchase an additional 43,000 shares of the company's common stock to cover over-allotments.

SANFORD --The Pantry, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., today announced that it has completed a repricing and renegotiation of certain terms of its senior secured credit facilities.

DUNN – Con-Trol Container Control Systems, an Iowa company that services industries worldwide, plans to open its Southeast hub for service and distribution next month in the Stoney Run Industrial Park near Interstate 95, officials announced today.

RALEIGH – Business leaders in North Carolina increasingly think public policy in the state is headed in the wrong direction.

MONCURE – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that ATC Panels, makers of wood panel products, will expand its facility in Moncure, creating 65 new jobs and investing $25.5 million over the next three years.

DALLAS--Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:THC) announced that 12 of its facilities have received one or more Get With The Guidelines(SM) (GWTG) Performance Achievement Awards from the American Heart Association. GWTG is designed to ensure that patients with cardiovascular disease are consistently treated and discharged with appropriate medications and instructions to help reduce the patient's risk of a second heart attack or stroke. The quality improvement program has three modules: coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke. These awards recognize the commitment and success of these Tenet facilities to reach for a higher standard of cardiac care that effectively improves treatment of patients.

FAYETTEVILLE – As part of its ongoing efforts to more closely affiliate with academic medical centers in the region, Cape Fear Valley Health System has partnered with UNC Hospitals to bring an air ambulance to Fayetteville.

WINSTON-SALEM – The board of directors of BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) has declared the 2006 first quarter dividend of 38 cents per share, an 8.6 percent increase over the 35 cents paid in the first quarter of 2005.

ARCHDALE – Hubbell Industrial Controls, a leading manufacturer of industrial and logistics controls and sensors, is expanding its facility in Archdale, creating 150 new jobs and $4.5 million in investment during the next three years.

SPARTANBURG, S.C.-- Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc. (NYSE: AEA) announced that the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks issued an order directing that its North Carolina subsidiary must cease further operation of its centers in North Carolina to the extent they make payday loans on behalf of a lending bank. A Notice of Appeal will be filed with the State Banking Commission as soon as possible.

CHARLOTTE -- Piedmont Natural Gas (NYSE: PNY) announced that it is changing the name of its North Carolina Natural Gas (NCNG) and Eastern North Carolina Natural Gas (EasternNC) divisions to Piedmont Natural Gas. The change follows the recent consolidation of Piedmont's North Carolina operations under one tariff with the same rates, services, rules and regulations for all North Carolina customers. The divisions serve customers primarily in the Eastern part of the state including Fayetteville, Indian Trail, Goldsboro, Tarboro, New Bern, Wilmington, and Rockingham.

DURHAM -- In response to the Treasury Department's (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) new guidelines on non-traditional lending to homebuyers, North Carolina Fair Housing Center Director Stella Adams issued a statement urging regulatory vigilance and consumer awareness to borrowers, especially in the current rising interest rate environment:

ASHEBORO--The Board of Directors of FNB Corp. (NASDAQ:FNBN) has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.15 per share, which is the same rate as paid in the prior quarter. The Board has also declared a special dividend in the amount of $.02 per share. Both the regular and special dividends will be paid on January 17, 2006 to shareholders of record on January 3, 2006.

CHARLOTTE -- Bank of America and American Express announced that Bank of America will issue Bank of America branded American Express cards in the United States.