First Charter Sets Earnings Release and Analysts Conference Call Dates

    Business Editors

    CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2005--

    Press Release - Thursday, January 13, 2005 Analysts Conference Call - Friday, January 14, 2005, at 9:00 A.M. ET

    First Charter Corporation (NASDAQ:FCTR) earnings for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2004 will be released after the market close on Thursday, January 13, 2005. At that time, the earnings release will be made available on our website at www.FirstCharter.com under our "Investor Relations" section. Our "Investor Relations" section can be found by following the link provided in the "About First Charter" section of the website. The First Charter executive management team will be available via telephone conference to discuss the contents of this press release, present growth and earnings estimates, as well as strategic plans for 2005 on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. At that time, the presentation will be made available on our website.
    The following table outlines access information for the conference call and internet/audio replay:

US/Canada Participants International Participants ---------------------- -------------------------- Live Conference Call 800-379-3953 706-679-5254 ID # 3191544 ID # 3191544 Internet Live and Replay www.FirstCharter.com www.FirstCharter.com "Investor Relations" "Investor Relations" section section SHOW #205089 SHOW #205089 Audio Replay 800-642-1687 706-645-9291 ID # 3191544 ID # 3191544

    Internet replays of this conference call will be made available for 30 days following the conference call and audio replays will be made available for 5 days following the conference call.

    Corporate Profile

    First Charter Corporation is a regional financial services company with assets of $4.4 billion and is the holding company for First Charter Bank. First Charter operates 53 financial centers, six insurance offices and 99 ATMs located in 18 counties throughout the piedmont and western half of North Carolina. First Charter also operates one mortgage origination office in Virginia. First Charter provides businesses and individuals with a broad range of financial services, including banking, financial planning, funds management, investments, insurance, mortgages and a full array of employee benefit programs. Additional information about First Charter can be found by visiting www.FirstCharter.com or by calling 1-800-601-8471. First Charter's common stock is traded under the symbol "FCTR" on the Nasdaq National Market.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This news release contains forward looking statements with respect to the financial conditions and results of operations of First Charter Corporation. These forward looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) projected results in connection with the implementation of our business plan and strategic initiatives are lower than expected; (2) competitive pressure among financial services companies increases significantly; (3) costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquisitions or expenses in general are greater than expected; (4) general economic conditions, in the markets in which the Corporation does business, are less favorable than expected; (5) risks inherent in making loans, including repayment risks and risks associated with collateral values, are greater than expected; (6) changes in the interest rate environment reduce interest margins and affect funding sources; (7) changes in market rates and prices may adversely affect the value of financial products; (8) legislation or regulatory requirements or changes thereto adversely affect the businesses in which the Corporation is engaged; (9) regulatory compliance cost increases are greater than expected; and (10) the passage of future tax legislation, or any negative regulatory, administrative or judicial position, may adversely impact the Corporation. For further information and other factors which could affect the accuracy of forward looking statements, please see First Charter's reports filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which are available at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) or at First Charter's website (www.FirstCharter.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements, which reflect management's judgments only as of the date hereof. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly revise those forward looking statements to reflect events and circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

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CONTACT: First Charter Corporation Robert O. Bratton, 704-688-4473 or Jan H. Hollar, 704-688-4467

KEYWORD: NORTH CAROLINA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALLS SOURCE: First Charter Corporation

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