Edgar Filing: WACHOVIA CORP/ NC

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934

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[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for the use of the
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[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12

WACHOVIA CORPORATION
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(Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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SUNTRUST

June 22, 2001

Dear Wachovia Shareholder:

SunTrust Banks, Inc. has proposed a business combination with Wachovia
Corporation that we believe is superior to Wachovia's proposed merger with
First Union Corporation. Under our proposal, Wachovia and SunTrust would
combine in a merger in which each share of common stock of Wachovia would be
converted into 1.081 shares of SunTrust common stock. Based on June 22, 2001
closing stock prices, our proposal has a value of $70.28 per share and
represents a premium over the implied value of Wachovia's proposed merger with
First Union as of such date. Pursuant to our merger proposal, SunTrust also
would increase its annual per share dividend to $2.22 so that Wachovia
stockholders would receive on a pro forma equivalent basis the same $2.40
annual per share dividend that they currently enjoy.

As you know, Wachovia has entered into a merger agreement with First Union
providing for a merger in which each outstanding share of Wachovia common stock
would be converted into two shares of First Union common stock, and, as more
fully described below, the right to receive, at your election, either a cash
payment of $0.48 or preferred stock of First Union that is designed to provide
a dividend which, when added to the dividends on the First Union common stock,
would equal on a pro forma equivalent basis a $2.40 annual dividend per share
of Wachovia common stock. In connection with the proposed First Union merger,
Wachovia has scheduled its 2001 annual meeting of stockholders for August 3,
2001, at a time and location to be announced by Wachovia. The Wachovia Board of
Directors is soliciting your vote to approve its proposed merger with First
Union at that meeting.

AS DISCUSSED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT, WE BELIEVE OUR PROPOSED
MERGER IS A SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE TO THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION/WACHOVIA MERGER.
However, our proposal requires that the proposed First Union/Wachovia merger
NOT be approved by the stockholders of Wachovia. Accordingly, we are soliciting
your proxy to vote AGAINST the proposed First Union/Wachovia merger.

WE BELIEVE THE SUNTRUST PROPOSAL IS SUPERIOR TO THE PROPOSED FIRST
UNION/WACHOVIA MERGER FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

o HIGHER CURRENT VALUE. Our proposed merger would provide a premium for your
Wachovia shares over what First Union is proposing to pay. Based on June
22, 2001 closing prices, the SunTrust merger proposal would provide you
with $70.28 per share in value, representing a premium of $2.28 per share
(or 3.3%) over the implied value of the proposed First Union/ Wachovia
merger. Because the exchange ratios in the SunTrust merger proposal and the
proposed First Union/Wachovia merger are fixed, the implied values of the
SunTrust merger proposal and the proposed First Union/Wachovia merger will
fluctuate based on changes in the respective market prices of the
companies' stocks.

o STRONGER CURRENCY. Our merger proposal would provide Wachovia shareholders
an opportunity to invest in SunTrust common stock, which has demonstrated
stronger performance and delivered more attractive total returns than First
Union's common stock over the past 1, 5 and 10-year periods. Through March
31, 2001, SunTrust produced one-year, five-year and ten-year total returns
to stockholders of 15.3%, 98.2% and 493.0%, respectively. Based on
historical results and First Call consensus estimates for 2001, SunTrust's
core earnings per share reflect a five-year compounded annual growth rate
of 12% from 1996-2001.

o SIMPLER AND BETTER DIVIDEND. Under SunTrust's proposal, SunTrust would
increase the annual per share dividend on its common stock to $2.22 so that
Wachovia stockholders would receive on a pro forma equivalent basis the
same $2.40 annual per share dividend that they currently enjoy. SunTrust
has had consistent dividend growth (five-year compounded annual growth rate
of 14% in dividends per share), has never cut its dividend and has
additional capacity to increase its dividend.

First Union's proposed merger with Wachovia would provide you with an
ongoing annual per share dividend of $1.92 on a pro-forma equivalent
basis, which represents a 20% decrease from Wachovia's current annual per
share dividend. However, to make up this difference, First Union is
offering you a choice of also receiving either a one-time cash payment of
$0.48 per share at closing to cover the dividend shortfall for the first
year after closing, or preferred shares of First Union that are designed
to pay a dividend sufficient to provide on a pro forma equivalent basis a
$2.40 annual dividend per share of Wachovia common stock.

We believe the dividend component of the SunTrust merger proposal is
simpler and better. We believe it's simpler because you don't have to hold
any security other than your shares of SunTrust common stock to receive
the full dividend. We believe it's better than First Union's $0.48 cash
payment alternative because under that alternative, First Union would have
to increase its current dividend by 25% by the beginning of the second
year after its merger in order for you to continue receiving the same per
share dividend you currently enjoy. And we believe the dividend component
of our proposal is better than First Union's preferred stock alternative
because you may not be able to realize value through a sale of your
preferred shares if a liquid market for the preferred shares does not
develop.

YOUR VOTE IS ESSENTIAL! IF THE FIRST UNION/WACHOVIA MERGER IS APPROVED,
YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE THE VALUE REPRESENTED BY OUR
MERGER PROPOSAL. WE URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION/WACHOVIA
MERGER BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD TODAY.

Even if you previously have submitted a proxy card furnished by the
Wachovia Board, it is not too late to change your vote by simply signing,
dating and returning the enclosed BLUE proxy card today.

WE URGE YOU TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS -- PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE
BLUE PROXY CARD TODAY.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

Sincerely,

/s/ L. Phillip Humann
L. Phillip Humann
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

IMPORTANT

1. If your Wachovia shares are held in your own name, please sign, date and
mail the enclosed BLUE proxy card to Innisfree M&A Incorporated in the
postage-paid envelope provided.

2. If your Wachovia shares are held in "street-name," only your broker or
bank can vote your shares and only upon receipt of your specific
instructions. If your shares are held in "street- name," deliver the
enclosed BLUE proxy card to your broker or bank and contact the person
responsible for your account to vote on your behalf and to ensure that a
BLUE proxy card is submitted on your behalf. SunTrust urges you to
confirm in writing your instructions to the person responsible for your
account and to provide a copy of those instructions to SunTrust in care
of Innisfree M&A Incorporated, so that SunTrust will be aware of all
instructions given and can attempt to ensure that such instructions are
followed.

3. Only stockholders of record on June 12, 2001 are entitled to vote at the
annual meeting of Wachovia stockholders. SunTrust urges each stockholder
to ensure that the record holder of his or her shares signs, dates and
returns the enclosed BLUE proxy card as soon as possible.

Do not sign or return any white proxy card you may receive from Wachovia.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE IN VOTING YOUR SHARES,
PLEASE CALL:

INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
CALL TOLL-FREE 1-877-750-9501
BANKS AND BROKERS CALL COLLECT: 212-750-5833

THIS PROXY STATEMENT RELATES SOLELY TO THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES IN
OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION/WACHOVIA MERGER AND IS NEITHER AN OFFER
TO SELL ANY SHARES OF SUNTRUST COMMON STOCK NOR A REQUEST FOR THE TENDER OF
WACHOVIA COMMON STOCK. THE ISSUANCE OF SUNTRUST COMMON STOCK IN CONNECTION WITH
SUNTRUST'S PROPOSED MERGER WITH WACHOVIA WILL HAVE TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY ONLY BE MADE BY MEANS OF A PROSPECTUS COMPLYING
WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.

2001 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
WACHOVIA CORPORATION
TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 3, 2001

PROXY STATEMENT
OF
SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED MERGER OF
WACHOVIA CORPORATION AND FIRST UNION CORPORATION

This Proxy Statement and the enclosed BLUE proxy card are furnished by
SunTrust Banks, Inc., a Georgia corporation ("SunTrust"), in connection with
its solicitation of proxies to be used at the 2001 annual meeting (the "Annual
Meeting") of stockholders of Wachovia Corporation, a North Carolina corporation
("Wachovia"), to be held on August 3, 2001, at a time and location to be
announced by Wachovia, and at any adjournments, postponements or reschedulings
thereof. Pursuant to this Proxy Statement, SunTrust is soliciting proxies from
holders of shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of Wachovia
("Wachovia Common Stock") to vote AGAINST the proposed merger (the "Proposed
First Union Merger") of Wachovia with and into First Union Corporation, a North
Carolina corporation ("First Union"). Wachovia has set the close of business on
June 12, 2001 as the record date (the "Record Date") for determining those
stockholders who will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. This Proxy
Statement and the enclosed BLUE proxy are first being sent or given to
stockholders of Wachovia on or about June 23, 2001. Wachovia's corporate
headquarters are located at 100 North Main Street, Winston-Salem, North
Carolina 27150, telephone (336) 770-5000 and 191 Peachtree Street, N.E.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303, telephone (404) 332-5000.

THE SUNTRUST MERGER PROPOSAL

On May 14, 2001, SunTrust delivered a letter to the Board of Directors of
Wachovia proposing a business combination that SunTrust believes constitutes a
superior transaction for holders of Wachovia Common Stock. Under SunTrust's
proposal (the "SunTrust Merger Proposal"), Wachovia and SunTrust would combine
in a merger (the "Proposed SunTrust Merger") in which each share of Wachovia
Common Stock would be converted into 1.081 shares of common stock, par value
$1.00 per share ("SunTrust Common Stock"), of SunTrust. SunTrust also would
increase its annual per share dividend to $2.22 so that Wachovia shareholders
would receive on a pro forma equivalent basis the same $2.40 annual per share
dividend that they currently enjoy.

Based on the closing price of SunTrust Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE") on June 22, 2001, the SunTrust Merger Proposal had a value of
$70.28 per Wachovia share, which represents a 3.3% premium over the implied
value of the Proposed First Union Merger of $68.00 (based on the 2.0 exchange
ratio in that transaction and the $34.00 closing price of First Union common
stock on June 22, 2001). Because the number of shares of SunTrust common stock
that Wachovia shareholders would receive pursuant to the SunTrust Merger
Proposal and the number of shares of First Union Common Stock that Wachovia
shareholders would receive in the Proposed First Union Merger are fixed, the
implied values of the SunTrust Merger Proposal and the Proposed First Union
Merger will fluctuate based on changes in the market prices of the companies'
stocks.

The Proposed SunTrust Merger would be tax-free to Wachovia shareholders
and would be accounted for as a purchase. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Combined Financial Information" on Schedule III to this Proxy Statement.
SunTrust contemplates providing leadership roles in the combined company for
numerous members of Wachovia's management, and Wachovia would have appropriate
representation on the board of directors of the combined company. In this
regard, SunTrust's determination of the extent of Wachovia representation on
the board of directors of the combined company would be based on various
considerations, including the timing of any merger of SunTrust and Wachovia, an
analysis of

the relative contributions of each company to the combined company's
prospective earnings, and negotiations with Wachovia. The combined company
would be headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and Winston-Salem, North Carolina
would become the headquarters for the combined company's North and South
Carolina banking franchise.

The SunTrust Merger Proposal is subject to certain conditions, including
(i) the valid termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 15,
2001, and amended and restated, between First Union and Wachovia ( the "First
Union Merger Agreement"), (ii) an update and completion of the due diligence
investigation performed by SunTrust in December 2000, (iii) the execution of a
definitive merger agreement by SunTrust and Wachovia providing for the Proposed
SunTrust Merger, and (iv) the invalidation of the stock option agreement
entered into by Wachovia and First Union and the related option granted by
Wachovia to First Union thereunder (collectively, the "First Union Option"),
or, alternatively, the surrender by First Union of the First Union Option in
exchange for a cash payment equal to the in-the-money value of the First Union
Option, subject to the minimum surrender value of the option of $375 million
and the maximum profit of $780 million (the "First Union Option Condition").
See "Certain Information Concerning the First Union Option." SunTrust believes
the First Union Option contains several excessive and unprecedented features
and has commenced litigation challenging the validity of that option. SunTrust
is also challenging the First Union Merger Agreement insofar as it prevents
Wachovia from terminating that agreement if its shareholders fail to approve
the Proposed First Union Merger. See "Certain Litigation."

SunTrust would be willing to enter into a definitive merger agreement with
Wachovia that is similar in all material respects (including with respect to
closing conditions) to the First Union Merger Agreement, except that the
financial terms of such agreement would reflect the financial terms of the
SunTrust Merger Proposal, and such agreement, unlike the First Union Merger
Agreement, would permit Wachovia to terminate such agreement unilaterally in
the event the Wachovia shareholders were to vote against the Proposed SunTrust
Merger instead of forcing Wachovia to wait until the termination date of such
agreement. The material conditions that SunTrust would expect to be contained
in a merger agreement with Wachovia would be the approval of such merger
agreement by the shareholders of both SunTrust and Wachovia and the receipt of
all required regulatory approvals. See "Regulatory Approvals Required for the
Proposed SunTrust Merger."

There can be no assurance as to the timing or satisfaction of the
conditions to the SunTrust Merger Proposal or as to the timing or satisfaction
of the conditions that would be contained in a merger agreement between
SunTrust and Wachovia. While certain conditions to the SunTrust Merger Proposal
are within the control of the Wachovia Board of Directors, the First Union
Option Condition is not within the control of the Wachovia Board of Directors.
However, SunTrust intends to vigorously pursue its rights to challenge the
validity of the First Union Option as expeditiously as possible. See "Certain
Litigation." SunTrust has filed an application with the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board") under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended, and expects to file within the next several
days other required applications with the appropriate regulatory authorities
and believes there is no reason why such applications will not be approved in
the ordinary and usual course. Accordingly, absent certain impediments
described above and below, SunTrust believes the Proposed SunTrust Merger could
close without any material delays beyond the timing of any proposed closing of
the Proposed First Union Merger.

SunTrust believes that if Wachovia's shareholders do not approve the
Proposed First Union Merger, First Union's interest will be in realizing value
for the First Union Option. In such a circumstance, and assuming Wachovia was
willing to enter into merger discussions with SunTrust, SunTrust believes First
Union would enter into negotiations with SunTrust with respect to the First
Union Option and if SunTrust and First Union were to agree on a surrender value
for the First Union Option, First Union would agree with Wachovia to terminate
the First Union Merger Agreement. See "Certain Information Concerning the First
Union Option." However, even if Wachovia were willing to enter into merger
discussions with SunTrust, Wachovia would need First Union's consent under the
First Union Merger Agreement to enter into such discussions with SunTrust
because even if Wachovia's shareholders fail to approve the Proposed First
Union Merger, Wachovia may not terminate the First Union Merger Agreement until
January 2002

unless Wachovia and First Union were to mutually agree to terminate that
agreement earlier. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that First Union
would consent to Wachovia engaging in merger discussions with SunTrust, that
First Union would mutually agree with Wachovia to terminate the First Union
Merger Agreement, or that SunTrust will be successful in its litigation
challenging the First Union Merger Agreement insofar as it does not permit
Wachovia to terminate that agreement even if Wachovia's shareholders fail to
approve the Proposed First Union Merger. In such a case, Wachovia would be
unable to enter into merger discussions with SunTrust or anyone else until
January 16, 2002.

In addition, there can be no assurance that Wachovia would be willing to
enter into merger discussions with SunTrust even if Wachovia shareholders
failed to approve the Proposed First Union Merger. There can also be no
assurance that First Union would be willing to enter into discussions with
SunTrust concerning the surrender of the First Union Option for a cash payment
of less than $780 million (because, as a result of the effect of an
anti-dilution provision in the First Union Option, First Union may have a
financial incentive not to agree to surrender the First Union Option for less
than $780 million if First Union believes that SunTrust will not be successful
in its litigation seeking to invalidate the First Union Option -- See "Certain
Litigation"), or that SunTrust and First Union would be able to reach an
agreement on a surrender value for the First Union Option, or that SunTrust
will be successful in its litigation challenging the validity of the First
Union Option. In such a case, SunTrust would have to waive the First Union
Option Condition, which it currently does not intend to do, in order to proceed
with the SunTrust Merger Proposal. If the First Union Option Condition is
neither satisfied nor waived by SunTrust, SunTrust would not proceed with the
SunTrust Merger Proposal. If SunTrust determined to waive the First Union
Option Condition and First Union were to decide to exercise the First Union
Option, in whole or in part, and acquire shares of Wachovia Common Stock
following the execution by SunTrust and Wachovia of a merger agreement, then
such exercise could have adverse effects on Wachovia and the SunTrust Merger
Proposal, including making it more difficult for Wachovia to obtain the vote of
Wachovia shareholders necessary to complete the Proposed SunTrust Merger,
requiring SunTrust to issue more shares in the Proposed SunTrust Merger and
requiring Wachovia to accept securities issued by First Union in payment of the
exercise price. For these reasons, SunTrust does not currently intend to waive
the First Union Option Condition.

By voting "against" the Proposed First Union Merger, Wachovia shareholders
can demonstrate their support for the proposed combination of SunTrust and
Wachovia and send a strong message to the Wachovia Board that they want to
preserve the opportunity to consider the SunTrust Merger Proposal.

While SunTrust is committed to helping Wachovia shareholders realize the
value of the SunTrust Merger Proposal, the SunTrust Merger Proposal cannot go
forward unless the Wachovia shareholders do not approve the Proposed First
Union Merger and the First Union Merger Agreement is terminated. Accordingly, a
vote for the Proposed First Union Merger could leave Wachovia shareholders
without a viable alternative to the Proposed First Union Merger because
SunTrust will not proceed with the SunTrust Merger Proposal if the Proposed
First Union Merger is approved by Wachovia shareholders. However, there can be
no assurance as to the occurrence or timing of the termination of the First
Union Merger Agreement or that the conditions to the Proposed SunTrust Merger
will be satisfied. As a result, even if the Proposed First Union Merger is not
approved by Wachovia shareholders, Wachovia shareholders could still be without
a viable alternative to the Proposed First Union Merger if the conditions to
the Proposed SunTrust Merger are not satisfied.

REASONS TO VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER

SunTrust urges you to vote your shares of Wachovia Common Stock AGAINST
the Proposed First Union Merger for the following reasons:

o A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER MOVES YOU ONE STEP
CLOSER TO RECEIVING THE SUPERIOR SUNTRUST MERGER PROPOSAL.

SunTrust believes that the combination of SunTrust and Wachovia is
superior to the Proposed First Union Merger and would provide substantial
benefits to Wachovia shareholders, including the following:

(1) Higher Current Value. Based on June 22, 2001 closing prices, the
SunTrust Merger Proposal represents a premium of 3.3% over the implied
value of the Proposed First Union Merger. The amount of this premium
will fluctuate based on changes in the market prices of SunTrust
Common Stock and First Union Common Stock. Based on closing stock
prices on May 11, 2001, the last trading day prior to the announcement
of the SunTrust Merger Proposal, the SunTrust Merger Proposal had a
value of $70.06 per Wachovia share and represented a premium of 17%
over the implied value of the Proposed First Union Merger. We note
that as of June 22, 2001 the 52-week high closing price for SunTrust
Common Stock is $67.80, and the 52-week high closing price for
Wachovia Common Stock is $69.50.

(2) Stronger Currency. SunTrust has demonstrated stronger stock price
performance and delivered more attractive total returns to its
stockholders than First Union over the past 1, 5 and 10-year periods.
Through March 31, 2001, SunTrust produced one-year, five-year and
ten-year total returns to stockholders of 15.3%, 98.2% and 493.0%,
respectively. Based on historical results and First Call consensus
estimates for 2001, SunTrust's core earnings per share reflect a
five-year compounded annual growth rate ("CAGR") of 12% from 1996 to
2001. A comparison of the foregoing data to similar data for First
Union is set forth in the second table below. Historical data
concerning stock price performance, earnings per share and other
operating results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
Stockholder return data is presented for periods ending on March 31,
2001 in order to eliminate any potential effects on the stock prices
of the companies attributable to the Proposed First Union Merger or
the SunTrust Merger Proposal.

(3) Simpler and Better Dividend. Under the SunTrust Merger Proposal,
SunTrust would increase the annual per share dividend on its common
stock to $2.22 so that Wachovia shareholders would receive on a pro
forma equivalent basis the same $2.40 annual per share dividend that
they currently enjoy. SunTrust has had consistent dividend growth
(five-year CAGR of 14% in dividends per share, as set forth in the
second table below), has never cut its dividend and has additional
capacity to increase its dividend. SunTrust's current annual dividend
of $1.60 per share is funded out of current operating earnings, and
the proposed dividend increase to $2.22 per share annually would be
funded out of the combined operations of SunTrust and Wachovia.

First Union's proposed merger with Wachovia would provide you with an
ongoing annual per share dividend of $1.92 on a pro-forma equivalent
basis, which represents a 20% decrease from Wachovia's current annual
per share dividend. However, to make up this difference, First Union is
offering you a choice of also receiving either a one-time payment of
$0.48 per share in cash at closing to cover the dividend shortfall for
the first year after closing, or preferred shares of First Union that
are designed to pay a dividend sufficient to ensure that you receive on
a pro forma equivalent basis a $2.40 annual dividend per share of
Wachovia common stock (the "Preferred Stock Election Feature").

We believe the dividend component of the SunTrust Merger Proposal is
simpler and better. We believe it's simpler because you would not have
to hold any security other than your shares of SunTrust Common Stock to
receive the full dividend. We believe it's better than First Union's
one-time special dividend alternative because, under that alternative,
First Union

would have to increase its current dividend by 25% by the beginning of
the second year after its merger in order for you to continue receiving
the same per share dividend you currently enjoy. And we believe the
dividend component of our proposal is better than First Union's
Preferred Stock Election Feature because you may not be able to realize
value through a sale of your preferred shares if a liquid market for
the preferred shares does not develop.

Dividends are payable on SunTrust Common Stock when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors of SunTrust out of funds legally
available therefor. Accordingly, any declaration of dividends on
SunTrust Common Stock in the future will be at the discretion of the
SunTrust Board of Directors and will depend upon SunTrust's future
earnings and financial condition and other factors. While SunTrust has
not reduced the dividend on its common stock at any time in the past,
there can be no assurance that SunTrust will continue to pay dividends
on SunTrust Common Stock in the amounts set forth above or otherwise.

(4) Proven Execution Record. SunTrust believes it has a proven track record
of executing strategic initiatives. SunTrust's successful integration
of Crestar Financial Corporation evidences its conservative and
disciplined approach to the execution of a major merger transaction
through setting achievable cost savings targets, retaining a focus on
customers and minimizing revenue loss. Based on independent market
research data compiled from surveys of commercial banking clients in
the markets served by Crestar, SunTrust achieved equal or higher lead
bank penetration in the commercial banking markets formerly served by
Crestar following the closing of that transaction. Furthermore, a
comparison of deposit data from April 1999 to deposit data from April
2000 indicates that SunTrust's systems conversion of the former Crestar
franchise in May 1999 had no meaningful adverse effects on SunTrust's
retail franchise in Crestar's markets. SunTrust's total retail deposits
in these markets increased by approximately 3% in the year ended April
30, 2000, which, due to growth in total deposits in these markets,
represented a slight decline of approximately 1% in retail market
share. In addition, SunTrust's actual earnings for 2000 (excluding
non-recurring items) did not differ materially from SunTrust's earnings
estimates projected for 2000 at the time of announcement of the Crestar
transaction. SunTrust has fully completed the integration process on
the Crestar acquisition and now has a "clean slate" for purposes of
allocating the management resources necessary to execute a major merger
transaction.

While the Proposed SunTrust Merger would represent a larger
transaction than the Crestar acquisition and would entail more
in-market integration than the Crestar acquisition, SunTrust believes
it has gained the expertise necessary for the integration of Wachovia
through its experience in the Crestar transaction and other significant
corporate projects. For example, SunTrust has managed the consolidation
of its 29 bank subsidiaries and its Y2K project, both of which involved
multiple large systems conversions. SunTrust's bank consolidation
project also has involved staff realignment and reductions, customer
and employee retention programs and standardization of policies and
procedures among SunTrust's separate bank subsidiaries. In the past
year, SunTrust also has closed approximately 40 branches in the
ordinary course of business, which required transferring the customers
of these branches to other SunTrust retail locations. SunTrust believes
that through these experiences it has gained the core project
management and systems integration competencies necessary to manage the
integration effort in connection with a combination with Wachovia.
SunTrust also believes there is an excellent cultural fit between
SunTrust and Wachovia and that the two companies' business models and
management philosophies are compatible. SunTrust believes these factors
should help minimize the execution risk in combining SunTrust and
Wachovia.

SunTrust also does not believe that its proposed merger with Wachovia
poses the types of risks generally perceived by some to be associated
with "hostile" transactions in the banking industry, most notably the
Wells Fargo/First Interstate merger. Based on previous merger
discussions with Wachovia over the years, SunTrust knows Wachovia's
operations well and is quite familiar with its manage ment and
employees, its business and operating structure, and its philosophy
(see "Background"), whereas Wells Fargo is reported to have performed
little

or no due diligence prior to its acquisition of First Interstate.
SunTrust's integration of Wachovia would be based on reasonable and
conservative assumptions and would take place over a reasonable time
period, while the Wells Fargo transaction was based on aggressive cost
savings targets and a nine-month integration schedule. And SunTrust and
Wachovia have similar operational structures, while in the Wells Fargo
transaction Wells Fargo essentially undertook an overhaul of First
Interstate's entire approach to retail banking.

The table below compares key financial aspects of the SunTrust Merger
Proposal to those of the Proposed First Union Merger:

FIRST UNION/WACHOVIA SUNTRUST/WACHOVIA
---------------------- ------------------

Implied Value (1) ........................................ $68.00 $70.28
Implied Ongoing Dividend Per Wachovia Share .............. $2.40(2) $ 2.40(3)
Cost Savings / % Wachovia Core Expense Base (4) .......... $890MM / 42% $500MM / 23%
Wachovia Pro Forma Ownership (5) ......................... 30% 44%

----------
(1) Based on closing prices on June 22, 2001.

(2) On May 22, 2001, First Union announced that it would provide Wachovia
shareholders the option to elect to receive, in addition to the First
Union Common Stock to be received in the Proposed First Union Merger,
either a cash payment of $0.48 per share or preferred shares of First
Union that are designed to pay a dividend that, when added to the
dividends on the First Union Common Stock, would provide Wachovia
shareholders with a $2.40 annual per share dividend on a pro forma
equivalent basis following completion of the Proposed First Union Merger.

(3) If the Proposed SunTrust Merger is consummated, SunTrust intends to
increase the annual dividend on its common stock to $2.22 per share.

(4) Wachovia's estimated core expense base is pro forma to reflect the impact
of Wachovia's acquisition of Republic Security Financial Corporation and
Wachovia's pending transaction for the disposition of its credit card
operations. Wachovia has asserted in public communications that Wachovia
and SunTrust, during their December merger discussions, had "agreed upon"
$400 million in cost savings in connection with a possible
SunTrust/Wachovia merger. However, Wachovia failed to disclose that it
had advised SunTrust that Wachovia believed that cost savings of more
than $500 million were obtainable in a SunTrust/Wachovia merger. See
"Background." SunTrust's cost savings estimate was based in part upon its
merger discussions with Wachovia in December 2000. SunTrust's costs
savings estimate was also based on its experience in the Crestar
acquisition and its review of data from selected comparable transactions
in the banking industry with an in-market component which reflected that
the 23% of Wachovia's non-interest expense base represented by SunTrust's
costs savings estimate was at the low-end of the range of cost savings
estimates for these transactions. SunTrust expects to derive its
estimated cost savings primarily from the elimination of duplicative or
redundant staff and administrative functions, data processing systems and
facilities and equipment. SunTrust estimates that the consolidation of
branch banking offices of Wachovia and SunTrust will result in the
closing of 150 to 175 branch banking offices during the three-year
integration period following completion of the proposed SunTrust Merger.
SunTrust has determined that there are approximately 138 Wachovia branch
banking offices within 1/2 mile of a SunTrust branch banking office and
approximately 213 Wachovia branch banking offices within 1 mile of a
SunTrust branch banking office. (Source: SNL Securities). In addition,
SunTrust has estimated that the consolidation of its operations with
those of Wachovia will result in 4,000 staff reductions during the
three-year integration period following completion of the merger.
SunTrust estimates that its cost savings will be phased in 40% in the
first year following closing, 70% in the second year following closing
and 100% in the third year following closing.

(5) Based on common shares outstanding on 3/31/01.

The following table presents certain historical financial and shareholder
return data for both SunTrust and First Union, including a comparison of 5-year
compounded annual growth rates for specified items for the two companies. This
data has been presented solely for the purpose of providing a comparison of the
historical financial and stock performance of SunTrust to that of First Union.
SunTrust believes that this comparison reflects SunTrust's superior track
record with respect to operating results and shareholder returns and that this
superior track record is an important consideration for shareholders in
determining whether or not to make an investment in First Union through their
vote on the Proposed First Union Merger. Although SunTrust believes this data
reflects SunTrust's superior track record in delivering value to its
shareholders, SunTrust cautions you that historical data are not necessarily
indicative of future results.

A compounded annual growth rate, or "CAGR," measures the annual growth
rate of a particular item, such as core earnings per share, over a specified
number of measurement periods. SunTrust is presenting 5-year CAGRs for both
SunTrust and First Union below and elsewhere in this Proxy Statement because
Wall Street analysts often look at 5-year CAGRs to measure long-term trends.
However, while 5-year CAGRs are used to reflect long-term trends, they will not
capture trends for selected shorter periods within the 5-year measurement
period.

SunTrust advises you that the First Quarter '01 Return on Average Realized
Equity figure for SunTrust set forth below is based on SunTrust's total
"realized" shareholders' equity rather than total shareholders' equity as
computed in accordance with GAAP. See footnote (8) to the table below. In
addition, SunTrust advises you that the earnings data used to calculate the
First Quarter '01 Return on Average Assets and the First Quarter '01 Return on
Average Realized Equity data set forth below exclude all non-recurring items,
including restructuring and merger-related charges and one-time gains. SunTrust
believes that the exclusion of non-recurring items from the calculation of
these performance measures for a company provides a return measure that more
accurately reflects the performance of the company's underlying business.
SunTrust advises you that this data may not be comparable to return on average
equity and return on average assets measures reported by other companies to the
extent such other companies have included non-recurring items in calculating
these measures.

FIRST UNION SUNTRUST
--------------- ---------

1-Year Total Stockholder Return(1) .............................. -6.2% 15.3%
5-Year Total Stockholder Return(1) .............................. 31.1% 98.2%
10-Year Total Stockholder Return(1) ............................. 376.5% 493.0%
5-Year Core Earnings Per Share CAGR(2) (3) ...................... -4%(4) 12%
5-Year Net Income Per Share CAGR(3) ............................. -1%(4) 11%
5-Year Net Revenue Per Share CAGR(5) ............................ 0%(4) 8%
5-Year Dividends Per Share CAGR(6) .............................. -3%(4) 14%
Restructuring Charges--Last 5 Years(7) .......................... $7,210MM $365MM
First Quarter '01 Return on Average Assets(2)(12) ............... 1.0% 1.2%
First Quarter '01 Return on Average Realized Equity(2)(8)(12) ... 15.6% 19.6%
First Quarter '01 Return on Average Equity(9)(12) ............... 14.9% 16.9%
First Quarter '01 Efficiency Ratio(10) .......................... 62.8% 57.2%
First Quarter '01 Tangible Common Ratio(11) ..................... 5.0% 6.8%

----------
(1) Through March 31, 2001. Assumes reinvestment of dividends. An end date of
March 31, 2001 was used for stockholder return data to eliminate any
potential effects on that data attributable to the SunTrust Merger
Proposal or the Proposed First Union Merger.

(2) Excludes restructuring and merger-related charges and other non-recurring
items.

(3) CAGR based on 1996 to 2001 actual and estimated EPS based on Wall Street
consensus estimates for 2001 (First Call).

(4) Adjusted for 1997 2-for-1 stock split.

(5) Excludes non-recurring items. CAGR based on 1996 to 2001, with first
quarter 2001 net revenue per share annualized.

(6) CAGR based on 1996 to 2001, with first quarter 2001 dividend annualized.

(7) Through March 31, 2001. Includes restructuring, merger-related and other
charges.

(8) SunTrust's return on average realized equity of 19.6% is computed using
SunTrust's average "realized" shareholders' equity, which is SunTrust's
total shareholders' equity less all unrealized gains and losses on
securities and derivatives reported under "Accumulated other
comprehensive income." SunTrust has reported its return on equity based
on realized shareholders' equity since the adoption of FAS 115, which
requires the inclusion in total shareholders' equity of unrealized
after-tax gains and losses in equity securities and debt securities held
for sale. SunTrust believes this measure is comparable to return on
equity as reported by other bank holding companies because SunTrust is in
a unique situation as a result of its ownership of approximately 48
million shares of common stock of The Coca-Cola Company since 1919. At
March 31, 2001, "Accumulated other comprehensive income" was $1.6 billion
or approximately 20% of SunTrust's total shareholders' equity and
included SunTrust's unrealized net after-tax gain in its investment in
Coca-Cola common stock of $1.4 billion, or approximately 17% of
SunTrust's total shareholders' equity. By comparison, at March 31, 2001,
First Union's "Accumulated other comprehensive income" of $222 million
constituted only 1.4% of its total shareholders' equity as of that date.
SunTrust believes its use of this measure of return on equity has been
accepted by Wall Street analysts in comparing SunTrust's return on equity
to the return on equity figures of its peers.

The 15.6% figure for First Union represents First Union's return on
average equity based on "operating income" and was taken from First
Union's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
2001. First Union does not report a figure for its average "realized"
shareholders' equity. Accordingly, SunTrust is unable to calculate a
return on average realized shareholders' equity for First Union. However,
based on period-end balances as of March 31, 2001, First Union's
"Accumulated other comprehensive income" accounted for approximately 1.4%
of its total shareholders' equity. Because the difference between First
Union's "realized" shareholders' equity and its total shareholders' equity
at March 31, 2001 is not material, SunTrust believes that the difference
between First Union's return on average total shareholders' equity for the
quarter ended March 31, 2001 of 15.6% and its return on average "realized"
shareholders' equity for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 would not be
material.

(9) Calculated in accordance with GAAP without adjusting for unrealized gains
and losses in securities and derivatives or non-recurring items of income
or expense.

(10) Calculated as non-interest expense excluding amortization of intangible
and foreclosed property expenses, as a percentage of fully-taxable
equivalent net revenue excluding securities gains.

(11) At period end. Total equity less intangibles, divided by total assets
less intangibles.

(12) Returns for both First Union and SunTrust have been annualized based on
the number of days in the first quarter using a multiplier of 365 divided
by 90.

o A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER WILL HELP
SATISFY A CONDITION TO THE SUNTRUST MERGER PROPOSAL.

One condition of the SunTrust Merger Proposal is that the Wachovia
shareholders do not approve the Proposed First Union Merger and the First Union
Merger Agreement is validly terminated. The Proposed SunTrust Merger cannot go
forward unless this condition is satisfied. Accordingly, your vote against the
Proposed First Union Merger can help to satisfy this condition to the SunTrust
Merger Proposal.

While SunTrust is committed to helping Wachovia shareholders realize the
value of the SunTrust Merger Proposal, the SunTrust Merger Proposal cannot go
forward unless the Wachovia shareholders do not approve the Proposed First
Union Merger and the First Union Merger Agreement is validly terminated.
Accordingly, a vote for the Proposed First Union Merger could leave Wachovia
shareholders without a viable alternative to the Proposed First Union Merger
because SunTrust will not proceed with the SunTrust Merger Proposal if the
Proposed First Union Merger is approved by Wachovia shareholders. However,
there can be no assurance as to the occurrence or timing of the termination of
the First Union Merger Agreement or that the conditions to the Proposed
SunTrust Merger will be satisfied. As a result, even if the Proposed First
Union Merger is not approved by Wachovia shareholders, Wachovia shareholders
could still be without a viable alternative to the Proposed First Union Merger
if the conditions to the Proposed SunTrust Merger are not satisfied.

o A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE
TO THE WACHOVIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT YOU WANT TO PRESERVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT THE SUNTRUST MERGER PROPOSAL.

By voting against the Proposed First Union Merger, Wachovia shareholders
can demonstrate their support for the proposed combination of Wachovia and
SunTrust and send a strong message to the Wachovia Board of Directors that they
want the opportunity to accept the value offered by the SunTrust Merger
Proposal. A vote against the Proposed First Union Merger moves Wachovia
shareholders closer to being able to benefit from the SunTrust Merger Proposal.
On the other hand, if Wachovia shareholders approve the Proposed First Union
Merger, it is likely that the Proposed First Union Merger will be consummated.

The SunTrust Merger Proposal is subject to certain risks and uncertainties,
including the following:

o the SunTrust Merger Proposal is conditioned on the valid termination
of the First Union Merger Agreement and the surrender by First Union of
the First Union Option for a cash payment equal to its "in-the-money"
value or the invalidation of that option, and there can be no assurance
that First Union will cooperate toward the satisfaction of these
conditions;

o the SunTrust Merger Proposal contemplates the negotiation of a
definitive merger agreement between SunTrust and Wachovia, but there
can be no assurance that Wachovia will enter into discussions with
SunTrust with respect to the SunTrust Merger Proposal if the First
Union Merger is not approved by Wachovia shareholders;

o the exchange ratio in the SunTrust Merger Proposal is fixed, so the
per share value of the SunTrust Merger Proposal will change as a result
of changes in the market price of SunTrust Common Stock and could be
lower in the future than the per share value of the SunTrust Merger
Proposal as disclosed in this Proxy Statement;

o SunTrust has no prior experience making an unsolicited merger proposal
of the type contemplated by the SunTrust Merger Proposal, and,
accordingly, the integration of the businesses of SunTrust and Wachovia
may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than anticipated, which
could result in SunTrust not realizing all of the anticipated benefits
of the Proposed SunTrust Merger or in the combined company experiencing
greater than expected deposit runoff, integration costs and customer,
client or employee attrition;

o the cost savings actually realized by SunTrust as a result of the
Proposed SunTrust Merger may be less than SunTrust's estimated cost
savings, and the restructuring and merger-related charges incurred by
SunTrust as a result of the Proposed SunTrust Merger could be greater
than those estimated by SunTrust; and

o the Proposed SunTrust Merger will be subject to a number of
conditions, including the approval of the shareholders of both SunTrust
and Wachovia and the receipt of all regulatory approvals required for
completion of the Proposed SunTrust Merger, and there can be no
assurance that these approvals will be obtained in the time frame
anticipated.

IMPORTANT

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED SUNTRUST
MERGER WE URGE YOU TO PROMPTLY SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY TO
VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER. WE URGE YOU TO EXECUTE AND MAIL
THE BLUE PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

REJECTION OF THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER IS A CRITICAL STEP IN
SECURING THE SUCCESS OF THE SUNTRUST MERGER PROPOSAL.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT A PROXY TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
WACHOVIA, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE. YOU MAY REVOKE THAT PROXY
AND VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER BY SIGNING, DATING AND MAILING
THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS
NECESSARY IF YOUR PROXY IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.

BACKGROUND

From time to time in the past, SunTrust and Wachovia have engaged in
discussions concerning the possibility of a business combination transaction
between the parties. Discussions were initiated between the parties most
recently in early November of 2000, at a meeting in Atlanta between L. Phillip
Humann, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust, and L.M.
Baker, Jr., the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wachovia, at
which Messrs. Humann and Baker discussed the possibility of a business
combination transaction between SunTrust and Wachovia. Later that month, John
W. Spiegel, Chief Financial Officer of SunTrust, and Robert S. McCoy, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer of Wachovia, discussed matters relative to a
potential business combination transaction between the parties, including
revisiting previous discussions between them in 1997 regarding the financial
aspects and benefits of a combination of SunTrust and Wachovia, including the
cost savings that should be obtainable in such a combination. Messrs. Spiegel
and McCoy mutually agreed that, based on those discussions, there was no reason
that the parties should not proceed with their consideration of a transaction.

On December 2, 2000, Mr. Spiegel met with several members of senior
management of Wachovia to establish a plan for conducting due diligence and
information sharing between the parties. That weekend, representatives of
SunTrust and Wachovia and their respective financial and legal advisors
commenced their due diligence investigations in connection with the proposed
transaction. These due diligence efforts continued on an ongoing basis
throughout the next couple of weeks and included meetings between key members
of senior management of the two companies, several off-site meetings involving
large due diligence teams and the continuous exchange of information between
the two companies. Also during this time, SunTrust and Wachovia and their
respective legal advisors substantially negotiated the terms of the proposed
transaction and the draft merger documents, and representatives of SunTrust and
Wachovia, with the assistance of their respective financial advisors, prepared
an analyst presentation for purposes of describing the transaction to the
investment community. SunTrust and Wachovia had set December 18, 2000 as the
targeted announcement date of the proposed transaction.

With a few days remaining before the targeted announcement date, the
following material terms of the transaction had been agreed to:

Name: Wachovia
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Price: 1.03 SunTrust shares per Wachovia share (12% premium based on 12/15/00
closing prices)
Board: 50/50 split between SunTrust and Wachovia directors
Management: Chairman and CEO: L.M. Baker, Jr. -- CEO until 2003 Annual Meeting
and Chairman until 2004 Annual Meeting
President and COO: L. Phillip Humann -- to become CEO at 2003 Annual
Meeting and Chairman at 2004 Annual Meeting
Other management roles and individuals from SunTrust and Wachovia to
fill those roles had been identified
Dividend: SunTrust dividend increase to ensure no reduction in dividends to
Wachovia shareholders on a pro forma equivalent basis

Over the course of the discussions, Mr. Baker communicated only one area
of concern to Mr. Humann relative to the compatibility of the two companies.
Mr. Baker indicated to Mr. Humann that the specialists in Wachovia's wealth
management business (tax and estate planning, portfolio managers, etc.)
reported to a centralized business unit whereas SunTrust's wealth management
specialists reported on the basis of geography. Mr. Humann indicated that
SunTrust had in effect dual reporting lines, both on the basis of geography and
to a centralized business unit which set and implemented overall policy with
respect to uniform practices and standards. Mr. Humann advised Mr. Baker that
he did not believe there was a practical difference in how these specialists
functioned on a day-to-day basis, but nevertheless advised Mr. Baker that
SunTrust was prepared to shift to Wachovia's operating structure for the wealth
management business. Mr. Baker also questioned the proposed reporting line of
the wealth management

business, preferring that this business unit report to Mr. Humann as the
proposed president and chief operating officer instead of to a vice chairman to
whom multiple business lines would report. Mr. Humann advised Mr. Baker that
SunTrust's position on this issue was based on SunTrust's view that the wealth
management business can benefit greatly through interaction with other business
lines, and that SunTrust had realized substantial success with this approach.

Late in the morning on December 14, 2000, Mr. Baker telephoned Mr. Humann
and advised him that Wachovia was withdrawing from further discussions based on
the issue raised by Mr. Baker with respect to the reporting relationship of the
combined company's wealth management business. Messrs. Humann and Baker decided
to speak again after their respective Board of Directors meetings which had
been scheduled for the following afternoon.

On December 15, 2000, following their respective Board of Directors
meetings, Mr. Humann and Mr. Baker spoke again, but Mr. Baker indicated that he
did not want to take up the merger discussions again until some time after the
holidays. Mr. Humann concluded that the prospect for a constructive dialogue
with Mr. Baker concerning a potential business combination would be improved if
he allowed some amount of time to elapse before resuming Merger discussions
with Mr. Baker, and accordingly determined not to contact Mr. Baker immediately
following the holidays. In early February 2001, following the announcement by
Wachovia of its plans to initiate an evaluation of strategic alternatives for
its credit card business, Mr. Humann decided, in light of the fact that a sale
of the credit card business would be a significant transaction for Wachovia,
that he would not attempt to resume discussions with Mr. Baker until Wachovia
had completed that process.

On April 13, 2001, Mr. Humann learned of rumors that Wachovia was in
merger negotiations with First Union. At that time, members of SunTrust's
senior management contacted representatives of SunTrust's legal and financial
advisors to assist SunTrust in evaluating its alternatives (principally whether
or not to submit a merger proposal to Wachovia) in light of the possibility
that Wachovia was in merger negotiations with First Union.

On April 14, 2001, Mr. Humann telephoned Mr. Baker, and Mr. Spiegel
telephoned Mr. McCoy, to inquire as to whether Wachovia was engaged in merger
discussions with First Union, and, in the event that Wachovia confirmed these
discussions, to deliver a merger proposal to Wachovia. At the same time,
members of SunTrust's senior management and its legal and financial advisors
prepared a letter to be delivered to Wachovia in the event that the responses
to the inquiries made by Messrs. Humann and Spiegel confirmed that First Union
and Wachovia were in discussions.

Mr. Spiegel spoke by telephone with Mr. McCoy, who confirmed that he was
also aware of the rumors. Mr. Spiegel reminded Mr. McCoy of SunTrust's interest
in a business combination transaction with Wachovia, and Mr. McCoy acknowledged
that he was aware of SunTrust's interest. Later in the day, Mr. Humann reached
Mr. Baker, who acknowledged his awareness of the rumors but attributed them to
internet message boards and chat rooms and pointed out that these same message
boards and chat rooms had similar rumors concerning a transaction between
SunTrust and Wachovia. Mr. Humann then stated that the two of them had agreed
that they would be getting together again to resume their discussions from
December, and Mr. Baker confirmed that this was what they had agreed to. Mr.
Humann understood Mr. Baker's response to be an indication that Wachovia was
not in discussions with First Union.

On April 16, 2001, First Union and Wachovia jointly announced that they
had entered into a low-premium, merger-of-equals transaction. See "Certain
Information Concerning the Proposed First Union Merger."

During the weeks following the announcement of the Proposed First Union
Merger, members of senior management of SunTrust, with the advice and
assistance of its legal and financial advisors, periodically met to discuss
SunTrust's alternatives in light of the announcement of the Proposed First
Union Merger.

On May 11, 2001, the SunTrust Board of Directors unanimously approved the
SunTrust Merger Proposal and related matters.

On May 14, 2001, SunTrust delivered the following letter to the Board of
Directors of Wachovia:

[LETTERHEAD OF SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.]

May 14, 2001

The Board of Directors
Wachovia Corporation
100 North Main Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27150

Dear Members of the Board:

As you know, we have long been interested in a business combination with
Wachovia Corporation. We have enormous respect for all of you, many of whom are
well acquainted with members of our Board, and we have always been impressed
with the quality of Wachovia's management with whom we have developed excellent
relationships over the years. Our respective management philosophies and
corporate cultures are highly compatible, and we both share a commitment to
superior customer service and relationship-based banking that sets us apart
from our competitors.

Since the announcement of your proposed merger with First Union
Corporation, we have again given serious consideration to a combination of
SunTrust and Wachovia. By this letter, we are proposing a transaction that
provides superior value to Wachovia's shareholders. We remain convinced that a
combination of our companies is a compelling transaction in light of the
strategic and financial benefits for each of us and our respective
shareholders. Our proposal provides Wachovia's shareholders a significant
premium over both Wachovia's current market price and the current value of the
First Union transaction. Our proposal also maintains Wachovia's current
dividend and provides Wachovia shareholders with an investment in SunTrust, a
high quality, high performing company. We believe our offer is a "Superior
Proposal" as that term is defined under your merger agreement with First Union.
Accordingly, we would like to meet with you as soon as possible to discuss the
terms of our offer in greater detail.

Under our proposal, Wachovia and SunTrust would combine in a merger in
which each share of common stock of Wachovia would be converted into 1.081
shares of SunTrust common stock, having an implied value of $70.06 per Wachovia
share. Based on May 11, 2001 closing prices, our offer represents a 17% premium
over the implied value of your proposed merger with First Union and a 15%
premium over Wachovia's closing price. SunTrust also would increase its annual
per share dividend to $2.22 so that Wachovia shareholders would receive on a
pro forma equivalent basis the same $2.40 annual per share dividend that they
currently enjoy. Our transaction would be tax-free to Wachovia shareholders and
would be accounted for as a purchase. Completion of the merger would require
receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other
customary conditions. We have attached a brief financial presentation outlining
the significant financial benefits of our proposal.

We would propose that the board of directors of the combined company
include appropriate representation from Wachovia's current board of directors.
In addition, we would anticipate leadership roles for numerous members of
Wachovia's management, and we would anticipate putting in place appropriate
incentives and retention arrangements for key members of management of
Wachovia. While the headquarters of the combined company would be in Atlanta,
Georgia, we are prepared to make Winston-Salem the headquarters for our
Carolinas bank, and we would maintain meaningful operations there. Our proposal
is also more attractive for your employees in North and South Carolina, where
we would anticipate substantially fewer job losses than under your proposed
merger with First Union.

We believe the strategic rationale for combining SunTrust and Wachovia is
compelling for a number of reasons, including the following:

o Shared focus on superior customer service and relationship-based
banking;

o Leadership position in high growth and affluent southeastern
geographic markets;

o Enhanced scale in high growth/high margin businesses;

o SunTrust has clean slate to execute transaction;

o Superior financial strength and credit risk management; and

o Opportunity for reinvestment of excess capital.

A merger of SunTrust and Wachovia would combine two companies that possess
highly compatible operating philosophies and corporate cultures, a similar
management structure and a shared commitment to operating a customer
relationship-based financial services franchise. Both SunTrust and Wachovia
have a matrix management structure which is based on both business lines and
geography. Both companies provide significant autonomy to local managers who
best understand and manage local customer relationships. For these reasons, we
believe the integration of our businesses can be accomplished in a virtually
seamless manner with no meaningful customer loss or disruption.

Most important for Wachovia's shareholders is the strength of SunTrust's
currency. SunTrust has demonstrated consistently strong stock price performance
and has delivered attractive total returns to its shareholders. Based on last
Friday's closing stock price, SunTrust has produced a five-year total return to
shareholders of 100%, and, based on First Call consensus estimates for 2001,
SunTrust's core earnings per share will produce a five-year CAGR of 12% from
1996-2001. SunTrust has had consistent dividend growth (5-year CAGR of 14% in
dividends per share), has never cut its dividend and has significant additional
capacity to increase its payout ratio. As noted above, our proposal provides
that SunTrust would increase its dividend to ensure no dividend reduction for
Wachovia shareholders.

In addition to strong performance and a focused strategy, the strength of
our currency derives from prudent management practices. SunTrust has never had
to pre-announce an earnings shortfall or major write-down and, other than the
$115 million loss taken in 1999 in connection with repositioning its securities
portfolio, has never taken a restructuring charge that was not merger- related.
We have retained an ongoing focus on credit and risk management. Our five-year
average net charge-off ratio is the lowest among the twenty largest U.S. banks
at 0.29%.* Additionally, our holding company currently enjoys A1/A+ ratings
from Moody's and S&P, respectively, for its long- term unsecured debt, with a
positive outlook from Moody's and a stable outlook from S&P, and our bank
carries Aa3/AA- ratings from Moody's and S&P, respectively.

With respect to executing strategic transactions, SunTrust has a superior
track record. Our integration of Crestar Financial Corporation is regarded as a
successful execution of a major bank merger transaction. All significant
operations were smoothly integrated, with virtually no measurable customer
run-off or revenue loss. This is in stark contrast to the history of the
mergers integrated by many of our competitors. Moreover, because of the
excellent strategic fit between SunTrust and Wachovia and our consistent
business models, and based on our previous discussions, we believe there is
limited execution risk in combining SunTrust and Wachovia. It bears noting that
our cost saving estimates project 3,000 fewer staff reductions and
approximately 125-150 fewer branch closures than the First Union
transaction--figures which suggest materially less execution risk in connection
with our proposal.

Our interest in this transaction is a reflection of our firm belief that a
combination of our companies would be highly beneficial financially to both of
our shareholder groups and accretive to SunTrust's earnings per share. In sum,
we believe our proposal is superior to your proposed transaction with First
Union based on its higher current value, maintenance of the Wachovia dividend
and the opportunity for Wachovia shareholders to share in the earnings
accretion deriving from a stronger combined franchise.

Our proposal requires the valid termination of your merger agreement with
First Union, and we are filing preliminary proxy materials with the SEC today
to enable us to seek proxies from the Wachovia shareholders to vote against the
First Union transaction. The stock option you granted to First Union contains
several excessive and unprecedented features, and we reserve the right to
challenge the validity of that option. Nevertheless, in the interest of
facilitating a transaction, our proposal assumes a payment to First Union of
the "in-the-money" value of the option, subject to the cap set forth in the
option agreement. Our proposal also requires an update and completion of the
due diligence investigation we performed in December.

----------
* Largest twenty banks by market capitalization, excluding Northern Trust
Corporation and State Street Corporation, as these banks have business
lines that are materially different from those of the other banks in the
group.

We were both disappointed and surprised by the announcement of your
proposed merger. We were disappointed because we (and, we believe, the market)
are convinced that a merger of our companies is a better fit and provides more
compelling strategic benefits than your proposed transaction with First Union.
And we were surprised because Wachovia did not make any effort to revisit the
substantially completed merger negotiations that we conducted this past
December. As you no doubt recall, our then-proposed merger was put on hold only
days before it was to be announced. The transaction documents, including
employment agreements, were essentially in final form; due diligence was
substantially completed; and our financial advisors were working to finalize
the investor presentation. It bears noting that the pricing we agreed to in
December, which represented a 12% premium to Wachovia's then-current market
price and included an increase in SunTrust's dividend to preserve Wachovia's
dividend on a pro forma equivalent basis, would have provided greater value to
Wachovia's shareholders than the value to be received in the First Union
transaction. In any event, because of all the work that was done in December,
we are extremely confident that we can reach definitive terms with you, as well
as update and complete our due diligence, expeditiously.

My clear recollection is that our December transaction was put on hold by
Wachovia solely because of concerns over two issues relating to the
organization of the combined company's wealth management line of business. One
of the issues concerned the reporting structure of the specialists (i.e., tax
and estate planning, portfolio management, etc.) within that business. At
SunTrust, the specialists in effect have dual reporting on the basis of
geography and to a centralized unit (to implement uniform standards, investment
policy and the like), whereas at Wachovia the specialists report only to a
centralized business unit. As a practical matter, we do not believe these
businesses function very differently on a day-to-day basis, and the difference
in organizational structure does not in our view pose any particularly
difficult integration issues. Importantly, I had advised Wachovia at the time
that we were prepared to accept your operating structure for this business
line. The second issue concerned the reporting relationship of the wealth
management business -- whether this business should report to a vice-chairman
to whom multiple business lines would be reporting (which was SunTrust's
preference), or to me as president and chief operating officer, as Wachovia
proposed. SunTrust's position on this issue was based upon our view that the
wealth management line can benefit greatly through interaction with other lines
of business, and our success in this area has demonstrated this. At any rate,
this too appeared to us to be an eminently solvable issue.

In all events, we are confident that we can implement an approach to
operating the wealth management business on a combined basis that captures the
best features of both SunTrust and Wachovia.

The Board of Directors of SunTrust has unanimously approved this proposal
and has authorized our management team to proceed. We have engaged Morgan
Stanley; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; and King & Spalding to
advise us in this transaction.

We would like to meet with you as soon as possible to discuss our proposal
in greater detail. Please feel free to contact me at my office number or to
have your respective financial or legal advisors contact Bill Weiant of Morgan
Stanley or Bill Rubenstein of Skadden Arps regarding the matters set forth
herein. We look forward to meeting with you soon.

Sincerely,

/s/ L. Phillip Humann

L. Phillip Humann

Also on May 14, 2001 SunTrust issued a press release announcing the
SunTrust Merger Proposal and conducted an investor presentation which discussed
the SunTrust Merger Proposal in detail.

On May 16, 2001, Theodore J. Hoepner, a shareholder of Wachovia for over
ten years, a participant in this proxy solicitation and a Vice Chairman of
SunTrust, delivered a letter to Wachovia demanding certain shareholder list
materials of Wachovia pursuant to his rights under the North Carolina Business
Corporation Act and North Carolina common law. Mr. Hoepner's demand stated that
he was a participant

in the solicitation of proxies being made pursuant to this Proxy Statement and
that he intended to share the shareholder list materials with SunTrust solely
in connection with this solicitation. On May 23, 2001, Wachovia notified Mr.
Hoepner that it would comply with his demand provided that he not share any of
the shareholder list materials with SunTrust.

On May 18, 2001, Mr. Baker announced that the First Union Merger Agreement
had been amended so as to delete any increase in retirement compensation for
Mr. Baker in connection with the Proposed First Union Merger.

On May 22, 2001, First Union announced the Preferred Stock Election
Feature. See "Certain Information Concerning the Proposed First Union Merger."
On the same day, Wachovia issued a press release announcing that its board of
directors had rejected the SunTrust Merger Proposal and had reaffirmed its
commitment to the Proposed First Union Merger. According to an article in The
Wall Street Journal on May 24, 2001, Morris Offit, a Wachovia director,
dissented from the decision of the Wachovia Board to reject the SunTrust Merger
Proposal. According to that article, people familiar with the meeting said that
when it came time for the Wachovia Board of Directors to vote, Mr. Offit
explained he would not reject the SunTrust Merger Proposal because he liked the
SunTrust business model and thought the cultural compatibility of SunTrust and
Wachovia was better than that of First Union and Wachovia. Mr. Offit also
reportedly raised concerns earlier in the meeting about whether Wachovia
management and its advisers had adequately disclosed details of SunTrust's
overtures. Mr. Offit, a Wachovia director, employee and significant
shareholder, joined the Wachovia Board of Directors in 1999 after selling his
New York trust bank, Offitbank Holdings Inc., to Wachovia. Mr. Offit currently
owns directly or indirectly 489,201 Wachovia shares. In terms of outright share
ownership, Mr. Offit is by far the largest shareholder among Wachovia's
directors, holding almost 40% more shares than the holdings of all of the other
Wachovia directors combined.

In a letter to Wachovia shareholders dated May 22, 2001, Mr. Baker made
four allegations regarding the SunTrust Merger Proposal: (1) a combined
SunTrust/Wachovia will not provide adequate future earnings growth, (2) there
is serious implementation risk in the SunTrust Merger Proposal, (3) the
SunTrust Merger Proposal does not compensate Wachovia shareholders for
SunTrust's inadequate future earnings growth and serious implementation risk,
and (4) there is no dividend advantage to the SunTrust Merger Proposal.

On May 22, 2001, Mr. Baker sent a letter to the SunTrust Board in which he
expressed Wachovia's disappointment at what he perceived to be SunTrust's
efforts to take over Wachovia and asked SunTrust to respect the Wachovia
Board's decision rejecting the SunTrust Merger Proposal and to withdraw the
SunTrust Merger Proposal.

On the evening of May 22, 2001, SunTrust issued a press release indicating
that it was disappointed by the decision of the Wachovia Board to reject the
SunTrust Merger Proposal and that it would continue with its plan to solicit
Wachovia shareholders to vote against the Proposed First Union Merger. The
press release also announced that SunTrust was initiating litigation in state
and federal court in Georgia. See "Certain Litigation." Also on May 22, 2001,
First Union and its principal bank subsidiary, First Union National Bank,
initiated litigation against SunTrust in state court in North Carolina. On May
23, 2001, First Union and First Union National Bank filed an amended complaint
in their litigation in North Carolina adding Wachovia as a plaintiff. See
"Certain Litigation."

On Saturday, May 26, 2001, First Union and Wachovia announced the record
dates for their annual meetings and the dates on which those meetings would be
held.

On May 30, 2001, First Union and Wachovia amended the terms of their
proposed merger for the third time in less than two weeks. Among other things,
the new amendments revised certain terms of the First Union Option in order to
limit the profit realizable under the First Union Option to $780 million and to
limit the consideration that may be used to pay the exercise price of the First
Union Option to cash or readily marketable debt or preferred stock issued by
the holder of the First Union Option having a fair market value equal to the
option exercise price as agreed upon by both parties' investment banking firms.
See "Certain Information Concerning the First Union Option."

On May 30, 2001, Mr. Hoepner initiated litigation in state court in North
Carolina in order to enforce his rights under the North Carolina Business
Corporation Act and North Carolina common law to obtain a stockholder list and
certain related records of Wachovia. On June 14, 2001, nearly one month after
Mr. Hoepner first delivered his demand to Wachovia, the North Carolina Business
Court ordered Wachovia to comply with Mr. Hoepner's demand for shareholder list
materials. See "Certain Litigation."

On June 1, 2001, SunTrust, Wachovia, First Union and First Union National
Bank entered into a consent stipulation agreeing to take appropriate action to
have the North Carolina state court litigation transferred to the North
Carolina Business Court. SunTrust also agreed to dismiss its Georgia state
court action with the intention of reasserting its claims as counterclaims in
the North Carolina Business Court. On June 4, 2001, SunTrust dismissed the
Georgia state court action without prejudice. On June 7, 2001 SunTrust filed
its answer and counterclaim in the North Carolina Business Court. See "Certain
Litigation."

On June 4, 2001, SunTrust delivered a notice to Wachovia of its intention
to propose a bylaw amendment for approval by Wachovia shareholders at the
Annual Meeting. Specifically, SunTrust proposed an amendment (the "Proposed
Bylaw Amendment") to Article I, Section 1.4 of the Amended and Restated Bylaws
of Wachovia to provide that a special meeting of shareholders shall be called
by Wachovia upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of all votes
entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the special
meeting, and that no advance notice would be required with respect to any
matter to be considered or voted upon at any such special meeting. The purpose
of the Proposed Bylaw Amendment was to provide Wachovia shareholders holding
10% or more of all outstanding Wachovia shares with the right to call a special
meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting on such matter or matters as
such shareholders deem appropriate, including matters relating to the future
direction of Wachovia. Later in the day on June 4, 2001, Wachovia announced
that it would consider the Proposed Bylaw Amendment in due course.

On June 7, 2001, SunTrust brought a claim against Wachovia in the North
Carolina Business Court seeking to enforce its right to have the Proposed Bylaw
Amendment presented for approval at the Annual Meeting. By letter dated June 8,
2001, counsel for Wachovia advised the North Carolina Business Court that
Wachovia's management was considering its response to the Proposed Bylaw
Amendment and that Wachovia would provide SunTrust with Wachovia's definitive
response no later than June 15, 2001.

On June 13, 2001, SunTrust announced that its Board of Directors had
authorized the repurchase of up to 5 million shares of SunTrust Common Stock.
SunTrust expects the purchases to be made from time to time in the open market
or through privately negotiated transactions depending on market conditions.
The authorization is in addition to the share repurchase announced by SunTrust
in August of 2000, for which less than 2 million shares remained to be
purchased at the time of SunTrust's announcement.

On the evening of June 12, 2001, SunTrust first became aware that First
Union was initiating efforts in the North Carolina state legislature to enact
an amendment to the North Carolina Business Corporation Act that would have the
effect of blocking SunTrust's ability to bring the Proposed Bylaw Amendment to
a vote of Wachovia shareholders at the Annual Meeting. The legislation proposed
by First Union would provide that shareholders of a public company incorporated
in North Carolina, such as Wachovia, would not have the ability to call a
special meeting of shareholders unless that right were provided for in the
company's charter. On June 14, 2001, only one day after the proposed
legislation first became public, news reports indicated that both houses of the
North Carolina legislature had approved the amendment and the Governor of North
Carolina had signed it into law.

SunTrust believes the legislation, which Wachovia reportedly actively
supported, significantly disenfranchises shareholders of public North Carolina
corporations because the charter of a North Carolina corporation can only be
amended if the amendment is first approved by the board of directors, while
shareholders may initiate bylaw amendments without board approval. SunTrust
believes that North Carolina is now the only state in the country that
expressly prevents shareholders of a public company from calling a special
meeting of shareholders unless that right is specifically provided for in the
corporation's charter, and that the amendment to the special meeting statute
could be a disincentive to investment in public companies incorporated in North
Carolina.

On June 15, 2001, Wachovia's outside counsel delivered a letter to
SunTrust stating that, in light of the recent amendment to the North Carolina
Business Corporation Act, "the bylaws of a North Carolina public corporation
can no longer provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings"
and, accordingly, the Proposed Bylaw Amendment would be invalid under North
Carolina law.

CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER

On April 15, 2001, First Union and Wachovia entered into the First Union
Merger Agreement. The First Union Merger Agreement provides for a merger of
Wachovia with and into First Union pursuant to which each outstanding share of
Wachovia Common Stock would be converted into 2.0 shares of First Union common
stock. In addition, on May 22, 2001, First Union announced that it is offering
to Wachovia shareholders two alternatives that purport to guarantee that their
dividend payments will remain at the current Wachovia level of $2.40 per share
per annum. In connection with the Proposed First Union Merger, Wachovia
shareholders would have the option to receive, in addition to two shares of
First Union Common Stock, either (1) a one-time payment at closing of $0.48 per
Wachovia share (as previously contemplated by the Proposed First Union Merger),
or (2) shares of preferred stock (the "Preferred Shares") that are designed to
pay quarterly dividends in an amount equal to the difference between Wachovia's
current quarterly per share dividend and the pro forma equivalent quarterly
dividend per Wachovia share paid on the common stock of the combined
Wachovia/First Union. Specifically, the new second alternative would provide
Wachovia shareholders with two Preferred Shares, each of which would initially
pay a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share, so that Wachovia shareholders
who elect this alternative would receive, on a pro forma equivalent per share
basis, $0.48 in quarterly dividends on First Union common stock and $0.12 in
quarterly dividends on the Preferred Shares, or the same $0.60 quarterly
dividend per share currently paid by Wachovia. The dividend on the Preferred
Shares would decline as the common dividend of the new Wachovia/First Union
increases, until the new entity's common dividend equals or exceeds $1.20 per
share (or $2.40 per Wachovia share on a pro forma equivalent basis).

The obligations of Wachovia and First Union to complete the Proposed First
Union Merger are subject to various conditions, including the approval of the
stockholders of First Union and Wachovia, receipt of all required regulatory
approvals without any conditions that could have a material adverse effect on
the combined company, and the satisfaction of other customary closing
conditions.

The foregoing description of the First Union Merger Agreement is not
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
First Union Merger Agreement, a copy of which has been included as Annex A to
the joint proxy statement-prospectus filed as part of Amendment No. 2 to First
Union's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on June 18, 2001
(the "Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus").

CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FIRST UNION OPTION

In connection with the execution of the First Union Merger Agreement,
Wachovia and First Union also entered into the First Union Option, pursuant to
which First Union has the right, upon the occurrence of certain events, to
purchase up to 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Wachovia Common
Stock at the close of business on April 12, 2001, at a price per share of
$59.482, subject to certain adjustments.

The First Union Option originally provided that the exercise price could
be paid through the delivery to Wachovia of cash, securities or other tangible
personal or real property having a value determined to equal the exercise
price. SunTrust believes that this provision could have resulted in Wachovia
issuing more than $2.5 billion in common stock to First Union in exchange for
assets of unknown identity and as to which Wachovia would not be contractually
entitled to perform any due diligence. On May 30, 2001, First Union and
Wachovia announced that they had amended their agreement to provide that the
exercise price of the First Union Option may be paid in cash or readily
marketable debt securities or preferred stock issued by the option holder
having a value agreed upon by an investment banking firm selected by Wachovia
and an investment banking firm selected by the holder exercising the option.

First Union may exercise the First Union Option if both an "initial
triggering event" and a "subsequent triggering event" occur prior to the
occurrence of an event that would terminate the First Union Option. An initial
triggering event occurred on May 30, 2001 when SunTrust filed its application
under the Bank Holding Company Act for Federal Reserve Board approval of the
Proposed SunTrust Merger. A subsequent triggering event will occur if any
person acquires beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the outstanding voting
securities of Wachovia or if Wachovia enters into an agreement with respect to,
or the Wachovia Board otherwise recommends that the Wachovia shareholders
approve or accept, any transaction with a third party (other than First Union)
involving a merger or consolidation of, or a sale of more than 25% of the
business, assets or deposits of, or a purchase or other acquisition of
securities constituting more than 25% of the voting power of, Wachovia or any
of its subsidiaries. The execution by Wachovia of a definitive agreement
providing for the Proposed SunTrust Merger would constitute a subsequent
triggering event and would result in the First Union Option becoming
exercisable.

Upon the occurrence of a "Repurchase Event" as defined in the First Union
Option, upon the request of First Union, Wachovia would be required to
repurchase from First Union the First Union Option and any shares issued under
the First Union Option. The repurchase price is determined pursuant to a
formula that is generally designed to capture the difference in value between
(i) the $59.482 exercise price per share of the First Union Option and (ii) the
highest of (a) the price at which a tender or exchange offer has been made, (b)
the price per share of Wachovia common stock to be paid by a third party
pursuant to an agreement with Wachovia and (c) the highest closing price of
Wachovia common stock within the six-month period immediately preceding the
date that the holder of the First Union Option gives notice to Wachovia of its
desire to have Wachovia repurchase the First Union Option. Such difference in
value, multiplied by the number of shares of Wachovia Common Stock subject to
the First Union Option, is the repurchase price for the First Union Option (the
"Repurchase Formula"). In addition, upon the occurrence of a Repurchase Event,
First Union may surrender the First Union Option and any shares issued under
the First Union Option held by First Union for a cash fee equal to $375 million
(the "Minimum Surrender Value"), reduced correspondingly if there have been
purchases of stock under the First Union Option and gains on the sale of such
stock.

The First Union Option provides that First Union's "total profit" may not
exceed $780 million. The term "total profit" was originally defined in the
First Union Option as "the aggregate amount (before taxes) of the following:
(1) the excess of (A) the net cash amounts or fair market value of any property
received by [the holder of the First Union Option] pursuant to the sale of
Option Shares (or any other securities into which such Option Shares are
converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated party, other than any amount
received by [the holder of the First Union Option] upon the repurchase of
Option Shares by [Wachovia] pursuant to Section 7, after payment of applicable
brokerage or sales commissions and discounts, over (B) [the holder of the First
Union Option]'s aggregate purchase price for such Option Shares (or other
securities), plus (2) all amounts received by [the holder of the First Union
Option] upon the repurchase of the Option by [Wachovia] pursuant to Section 7,
plus (3) all equivalent amounts with respect to the Substitute Option and any
amounts paid pursuant to Section 9, minus (4) all amounts of cash previously
paid to [Wachovia] pursuant to Section 16(a)(3) and the value of all Option
Shares (or other securities) previously delivered to [Wachovia] for
cancellation pursuant to Section 16(a)(2), which value shall be deemed to be
the purchase price by [Wachovia] for such Option Shares or other securities."
SunTrust believed that this "total profit" provision did not operate to limit
the value of the First Union Option to $780 million in all circumstances. For
example, while clause (2) would take into account the value realized by First
Union on a repurchase by Wachovia of the First Union Option, clause (1)
specifically provides that value realized by First Union as a result of the
repurchase by Wachovia of shares of Wachovia Common Stock acquired upon
exercise of the First Union Option is not to be taken into account in
calculating the "total profit." On May 30, 2001, First Union and Wachovia
amended this definition in the First Union Option to provide that additional
potential sources of value to a holder of the First Union Option, including a
repurchase by Wachovia of shares purchased upon exercise of the First Union
Option, would be subject to the $780 million profit limitation.

The SunTrust Merger Proposal is subject to certain conditions, including
the First Union Option Condition. To satisfy the First Union Option Condition,
either the First Union Option must be judicially invalidated or First Union
must surrender the First Union Option for a cash payment equal to the
in-the-money value of the First Union Option, subject to the Minimum Surrender
Value of $375 million and the "cap" of $780 million. For purposes of the First
Union Option Condition, SunTrust regards the in-the-money value of the First
Union Option as equivalent to the value that would be determined under the
Repurchase Formula. Because SunTrust has neither executed an agreement with
Wachovia to acquire any shares of Wachovia Common Stock nor commenced an
exchange offer to purchase shares of Wachovia Common Stock, the relevant price
for purposes of the Repurchase Formula would be the highest closing price of
Wachovia Common Stock during the six-month period preceding the date that the
holder of the First Union Option gives notice to Wachovia of its desire to have
Wachovia repurchase the First Union Option. SunTrust believes the highest
closing price of Wachovia Common Stock during the six-month period ending on
the most recent practicable date preceding the date of this Proxy Statement is
$69.50. Accordingly, for purposes of the First Union Option Condition, the
in-the-money value of the First Union Option as of the date of this Proxy
Statement based on the Repurchase Formula is approximately $419 million ($69.50
minus the exercise price of $59.482, multiplied by approximately 41.85 million
shares of Wachovia common stock assumed to be subject to the First Union
Option).

In the event Wachovia was willing to enter into a definitive agreement
with SunTrust with respect to the SunTrust Merger Proposal, and the implied
value of the SunTrust Merger Proposal per share of Wachovia Common Stock at
that time was higher than the highest closing price of Wachovia Common Stock
during the preceding six-month period, then SunTrust would calculate the
in-the-money value of the First Union Option for purposes of the First Union
Option Condition based on the higher implied value of the SunTrust Merger
Proposal. For example, if the implied value of the SunTrust Merger Proposal per
share of Wachovia Common Stock were $70 at the time Wachovia was willing to
enter into a definitive agreement with SunTrust with respect to the SunTrust
Merger Proposal, the value of the First Union Option based on the Repurchase
Formula would be approximately $440 million. Because $440 million is more than
the Minimum Surrender Value of $375 million and less than the"cap" of $780
million, the in-the-money value of the First Union Option for purposes of the
First Union Option Condition would be $440 million. As noted above, because the
exchange ratio in the SunTrust Merger Proposal is fixed, the implied value of
the SunTrust Merger Proposal will fluctuate based on changes in the market
prices for SunTrust Common Stock. In addition, the highest closing price of
Wachovia's Common Stock on a trailing six-month basis will vary over time.
Accordingly, the in-the-money value of the First Union Option for purposes of
the First Union Option Condition will fluctuate.

As a practical matter, if Wachovia's shareholders do not approve the
Proposed First Union Merger and Wachovia enters into merger discussions with
SunTrust, SunTrust believes that it and First Union would enter into
negotiations with respect to the appropriate surrender value of the First Union
Option. However, there can be no assurance that Wachovia will enter into merger
discussions with SunTrust, or that First Union would enter into any such
negotiations with respect to the First Union Option or that the parties would
agree on the appropriate surrender value of the First Union Option. In this
regard, the First Union Option contains an anti-dilution provision that would
apply in the case of a merger of Wachovia with a third party. This
anti-dilution provision is not designed to preserve the inherent value of the
First Union Option in the case of a merger involving Wachovia, but rather is
designed to materially inflate the value of the option above its inherent
value. In the case of a merger with SunTrust, the anti-dilution provision would
operate to increase the inherent value of the option above $780 million
(without giving effect to the "cap" provision). Accordingly, there can be no
assurance that First Union would agree to a surrender value below $780 million.
There also can be no assurance that First Union will agree to terminate the
First Union Merger Agreement in the event that Wachovia's shareholders do not
approve the Proposed First Union Merger, in which case Wachovia would not be
permitted to enter into merger discussions with SunTrust prior to January 16,
2002 without the consent of First Union.

SunTrust has filed a counterclaim in the North Carolina Business Court
against Wachovia, certain of Wachovia's directors and First Union seeking to
invalidate the First Union Option because, among other things, SunTrust
believes that the $780 million value of the option constitutes an excessive
penalty and, accordingly, that the Wachovia Board of Directors breached their
fiduciary duties in entering into the First Union Option. See "Certain
Litigation."
20

In connection with the execution of the First Union Merger Agreement,
Wachovia and First Union also entered into a Stock Option Agreement pursuant to
which First Union granted Wachovia an option (the "Wachovia Option") to
purchase up to 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of First Union Common
Stock at the close of business on April 12, 2001, at a price per share of
$31.892, subject to certain adjustments. The terms of the Wachovia Option are
substantially the same as the terms of the First Union Option.

The foregoing description of the First Union Option and the Wachovia
Option is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the First Union Option and the Wachovia Option, copies of which
have been included as annexes to the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus.

REGULATORY APPROVALS REQUIRED FOR THE PROPOSED SUNTRUST MERGER

The completion of the Proposed SunTrust Merger will be conditioned on
obtaining all regulatory approvals required for the merger and the expiration
of all applicable waiting periods with respect thereto. These approvals and the
expiration of any statutory waiting periods related to these approvals are
referred to herein as the "requisite regulatory approvals." These include
approval from the Federal Reserve Board and various state regulatory
authorities. SunTrust has filed its application with the Federal Reserve Board
and intends to complete the filing as promptly as practicable after the date of
this Proxy Statement of other applications and notifications required to obtain
the requisite regulatory approvals. The Proposed SunTrust Merger cannot be
consummated in the absence of the requisite regulatory approvals. SunTrust
cannot assure Wachovia shareholders as to whether or when the requisite
regulatory approvals will be obtained, and, if obtained, SunTrust cannot assure
Wachovia shareholders as to the date of receipt of any of these approvals or
the absence of any litigation challenging them. Likewise, SunTrust cannot
assure Wachovia shareholders that the United States Department of Justice (the
"DOJ") or a state attorney general will not attempt to challenge the Proposed
SunTrust Merger on antitrust grounds, or, if such a challenge is made, as to
the result of that challenge.

SunTrust is not aware of any other material governmental approvals or
actions that are required prior to the consummation of the Proposed SunTrust
Merger other than those described below. SunTrust presently contemplates that
if any additional governmental approvals or actions are required, these
approvals or actions will be sought. However, SunTrust cannot assure Wachovia
shareholders that any of these additional approvals or actions will be
obtained.

Federal Reserve Board. The Proposed SunTrust Merger is subject to approval
by the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act. SunTrust filed
its application for approval of the Proposed SunTrust Merger with the Federal
Reserve Board on May 30, 2001. By letter dated June 6, 2001, the Federal
Reserve Bank of Atlanta advised SunTrust that its application had been accepted
for processing and that it anticipated that SunTrust's application would be
acted upon by July 30, 2001. Assuming the Federal Reserve Board approves the
Proposed SunTrust Merger, the merger may not be consummated for 30 days, during
which time the DOJ may challenge the merger on antitrust grounds and seek
divestiture of certain assets and liabilities. With agreement of the Federal
Reserve Board and the DOJ, this waiting period may be reduced to no fewer than
15 days.

The Federal Reserve Board is prohibited from approving any transaction
under the applicable statutes that would result in a monopoly, or that would be
in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize, or to attempt to
monopolize, the business of banking in any part of the United States, or that
may have the effect in any section of the United States of substantially
lessening competition, or tending to create a monopoly, or resulting in a
restraint of trade, unless the Federal Reserve Board finds that the
anti-competitive effects of the transaction are clearly outweighed in the
public interest by the probable effect of the transaction in meeting the
convenience and needs of the communities to be served.

Also, in reviewing a transaction under the Bank Holding Company Act, the
Federal Reserve Board will consider the financial and managerial resources of
SunTrust and Wachovia and their respective subsidiary banks and the convenience
and needs of the communities to be served. As part of its consideration of
these factors, SunTrust expects that the Federal Reserve Board will consider
the regulatory status of SunTrust and Wachovia, including legal and regulatory
compliance, and the overall

capital and safety and soundness standards established by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, as amended, and the regulations
issued under that statute.

Under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended, the Federal
Reserve Board will take into account the records of performance of SunTrust and
Wachovia in meeting the credit needs of the entire communities, including low-
and moderate-income neighborhoods, served by them. Each of the banking
subsidiaries of SunTrust and Wachovia has received at least a satisfactory
rating in its most recent Community Reinvestment Act examinations from their
federal regulator with respect to this criterion.

The Federal Reserve Board will furnish notice and a copy of the
application for approval of the Proposed SunTrust Merger to the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the
appropriate state regulatory authorities. These agencies have 30 days to submit
their views and recommendations to the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal
Reserve Board is required to hold a public hearing in the event it receives a
written recommendation of disapproval of the application from any of these
agencies within this 30-day period. Furthermore, the Bank Holding Company Act
and Federal Reserve Board regulations require published notice of, and the
opportunity for public comment on, the application submitted by SunTrust for
approval of the Proposed SunTrust Merger, and authorize the Federal Reserve
Board to hold a public hearing or meeting if the Federal Reserve Board
determines that a hearing or meeting would be appropriate. Any hearing or
meeting or comments provided by third parties could prolong the period during
which the application is under review by the Federal Reserve Board.

If the DOJ were to commence an antitrust action, that action would stay
the effectiveness of Federal Reserve Board approval of the Proposed SunTrust
Merger unless a court specifically orders otherwise. In reviewing the Proposed
SunTrust Merger, the DOJ could analyze the Proposed SunTrust Merger's effect on
competition differently than the Federal Reserve Board, and thus it is possible
that the DOJ could reach a different conclusion than the Federal Reserve Board
regarding the Proposed SunTrust Merger's effects on competition. In particular,
the DOJ may focus on the impact of the Proposed SunTrust Merger on competition
for loans and other financial services to small and middle market businesses. A
determination by the DOJ not to object to the merger may not prevent the filing
of antitrust actions by private persons or state attorneys general.

SunTrust estimates that SunTrust and Wachovia will need to make
divestitures of deposits of up to approximately $1.5 billion, and related
loans, in order to avoid a determination by the Federal Reserve Board or the
DOJ that the Proposed SunTrust Merger would have a significantly adverse effect
on competition in the relevant markets in those states. This estimate is based
on Federal Reserve Board decisions in other cases and published deposit
figures. Although there can be no assurances, SunTrust believes that the
divestitures would not have a material negative effect on the combined company.
Under Federal Reserve Board policy, the Proposed SunTrust Merger cannot be
completed until there is an executed definitive agreement for the divestitures.

Other Regulatory Authorities. Applications or notifications are being
filed with various state and/or foreign regulatory authorities and
self-regulatory organizations in connection with acquisitions or changes in
control of subsidiaries of SunTrust and/or Wachovia, including banks,
broker-dealers and insurance subsidiaries, that may be deemed to result from
the Proposed SunTrust Merger. In addition, the Proposed SunTrust Merger may be
reviewed by the attorneys general in the various states in which SunTrust and
Wachovia own banking subsidiaries. These authorities may be empowered under the
applicable state laws and regulations to investigate or disapprove the Proposed
SunTrust Merger under the circumstances and based upon the review provided for
in applicable state laws and regulations.

Antitrust. Because the Proposed SunTrust Merger involves activities that
are not subject to review by the Federal Reserve Board under Sections 3 or 4 of
the Bank Holding Company Act, it is partially subject to the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"). The HSR Act
prohibits the completion of large transactions unless the parties notify the
Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") or the DOJ in advance and a specified
waiting period expires. SunTrust intends to file premerger notification and
report forms with the FTC and the Antitrust Division of the DOJ, and expects
that Wachovia will fulfil its independent obligation to make such filings. A
transaction or portion
22

of a transaction that is notifiable under the HSR Act may not be consummated
until the expiration of a 30 calendar-day waiting period, or the early
termination of that waiting period, following the filing of premerger
notification and report forms by the parties with the FTC and DOJ. If either
the FTC or the DOJ were to request additional information or documentary
material with respect to the Proposed SunTrust Merger from the parties prior to
the expiration of the waiting period, the waiting period would expire at 11:59
p.m., New York City time, on the 20th calendar day after the date of
substantial compliance with that request. At any time before or after the
completion of the Proposed SunTrust Merger and the exchange of shares, the FTC
or the DOJ could take whatever action under the antitrust laws it deems
necessary or desirable in the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the
Proposed SunTrust Merger, or seeking a divestiture of shares or assets.

No assurance can be provided as to if, or when, any of the required
regulatory approvals necessary to consummate the Proposed SunTrust Merger will
be obtained.

CERTAIN LITIGATION

Federal Securities Litigation. On May 22, 2001, SunTrust commenced an
action in United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
against Wachovia and First Union seeking to enjoin Wachovia and First Union
from continuing to engage in alleged violations of the federal securities laws
in furtherance of their efforts to solicit Wachovia shareholders to vote in
favor of the Proposed First Union Merger. SunTrust's complaint, as amended on
May 25, 2001, alleges violations of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. Section 78n(a), and the rules promulgated thereunder
in connection with certain public statements made by Wachovia and First Union
in connection with the Proposed First Union Merger and the Proposed SunTrust
Merger.

On or about June 11, 2001, First Union and Wachovia filed their respective
answers and counter-claims in response to SunTrust's First Amended Complaint in
which they denied SunTrust's allegations and raised a number of affirmative
defenses. In addition, both First Union and Wachovia asserted counterclaims
against SunTrust, alleging that SunTrust violated Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with its solicitation of proxies
in opposition to the Proposed First Union Merger. Specifically, among other
allegations, First Union and Wachovia have asserted that SunTrust violated
federal securities laws by not disclosing in this Proxy Statement that SunTrust
has estimated that the Proposed SunTrust Merger will be dilutive to SunTrust's
earnings per share as calculated in accordance with GAAP in 2002 and 2003, as
described in SunTrust's May 14 investor presentation on the SunTrust Merger
Proposal, which was filed by SunTrust with the SEC on May 14, 2001, pursuant to
Rule 425 under the Securities Act.

On June 15, 2001, First Union filed a motion to dismiss SunTrust's First
Amended Complaint or, in the alternative, for judgment on the pleadings. On
that same day, Wachovia indicated in a letter to SunTrust's counsel that it
intended to file a similar motion.

On May 25, 2001, along with its First Amended Complaint, SunTrust filed a
motion to expedite proceedings in the federal action. Subsequently, on June 12,
SunTrust filed a supplemental brief in support of its motion to expedite
proceedings, advising the court that Wachovia had announced that the Proposed
First Union Merger would be put to a vote at the Annual Meeting set for August
3, 2001. On June 11, 2001, First Union filed its opposition to SunTrust's
motion for expedited proceedings. Wachovia filed its opposition on or about
June 13, 2001. The federal court initially scheduled a hearing on SunTrust's
motion for June 15, but subsequently adjourned the hearing date to July 6,
2001.

State Court Litigation. On May 23, 2001, SunTrust commenced an action in
the Superior Court in Fulton County, Georgia against Wachovia, members of the
Wachovia board of directors and First Union. The complaint alleges, among other
things, breach of fiduciary duty and violations of Georgia law in connection
with the First Union Option and a certain provision of the First Union Merger
Agreement. On May 24, 2001, SunTrust was temporarily enjoined from prosecuting
this action by order of the Superior Court in Mecklenburg County, North
Carolina, as discussed below.

On May 22, 2001, First Union and First Union National Bank commenced an
action against SunTrust in the Superior Court, Mecklenburg County, North
Carolina alleging violation of the North Carolina

Unfair Practices Act, G.S. Section 75-1.1 et seq. and tortious interference
with prospective economic advantage in connection with certain conduct
allegedly engaged in by SunTrust in connection with the Proposed First Union
Merger and the Proposed SunTrust Merger. Among other things, Wachovia and First
Union seek an order granting unspecified injunctive relief and a declaratory
judgment that the First Union Option is valid and enforceable. The complaint
also included a jury demand. The complaint was amended on May 23, 2001 to add
Wachovia as a plaintiff and to add a claim for breach of contract. SunTrust
believes the complaint is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously.

On May 24, 2001, SunTrust removed the North Carolina state court action to
the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
However, before the removal notice was filed in the North Carolina Superior
Court, that court granted plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order
("TRO") restraining SunTrust from prosecuting the action in Georgia state
court. The North Carolina Superior Court also ordered the parties to appear on
June 1, 2001 to show cause why the TRO should not be continued as a preliminary
injunction. On May 25, SunTrust filed a motion in the North Carolina federal
court for an expedited hearing and to dissolve the TRO entered by the North
Carolina state court. At a hearing on May 30, 2001, the North Carolina federal
court remanded the action back to the North Carolina Superior Court. Because
the federal court decided not to exercise jurisdiction over the action, it did
not consider SunTrust's motion to dissolve the TRO entered by the North
Carolina state court.

On May 24, 2001, when the North Carolina state court granted the TRO, it
also ordered the parties to appear on June 1, 2001 to show cause why the TRO
should not be continued as a preliminary injunction. Before the June 1, 2001
hearing, however, SunTrust, First Union, First Union National Bank and Wachovia
signed a Consent Stipulation agreeing to take appropriate actions to have the
North Carolina state action transferred to the North Carolina Business Court.
SunTrust also agreed to dismiss its Georgia state court action with the
intention of reasserting its claims as counterclaims in the North Carolina
Business Court. The Consent Stipulation did not affect SunTrust's action in the
federal district court in Georgia. On June 4, 2001, SunTrust dismissed the
Georgia state court action without prejudice.

On June 7, 2001, SunTrust filed its Answer and Counterclaim in the North
Carolina Business Court. SunTrust's Counterclaim included the claims previously
made by SunTrust in Georgia state court and an additional claim seeking to
enforce its right, pursuant to Section 1.10 of Wachovia's bylaws, to have its
proposed bylaw amendment presented for approval at the Annual Meeting. See
"Background."

On June 12, 2001, First Union, First Union National Bank, Wachovia and the
Wachovia director defendants moved to dismiss SunTrust's Counterclaim. On June
18, 2001, following a hearing, the North Carolina Business Court denied the
motion to dismiss the breach of fiduciary duty claims against the Wachovia
director defendants and the aiding and abetting claim against First Union, and
granted the motion to dismiss the claims against First Union and Wachovia under
Georgia state law.

Shareholder List Litigation. On May 31, 2001, Theodore J. Hoepner, a Vice
Chairman of SunTrust and a participant in this solicitation, commenced an
action in the North Carolina Superior Court, Forsyth County, against Wachovia
seeking to obtain a shareholder list and related materials that were the
subject of a shareholder demand made by Mr. Hoepner on May 16, 2001 pursuant to
North Carolina statutory and common law. See "Background." The complaint seeks
declaratory and injunctive relief, including an order requiring Wachovia to
provide the shareholder list and related materials to Mr. Hoepner, and costs
and attorneys' fees. The case was assigned to the North Carolina Business Court
on June 5, 2001.

On June 5, 2001, Mr. Hoepner filed a motion for summary judgment with
respect to his claim in the North Carolina Business Court. On June 14, 2001,
following a hearing, the North Carolina Business Court ruled in favor of Mr.
Hoepner on his motion and issued an order requiring Wachovia to provide to Mr.
Hoepner at Wachovia's expense the shareholder list materials demanded by Mr.
Hoepner. Under the Court's ruling, Mr. Hoepner is free to share the stockholder
list materials with SunTrust in connection with this solicitation.

Other Litigation. According to disclosure contained in the Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus, since the announcement of the Proposed First Union
Merger, ten separate purported class action lawsuits have been filed by
shareholders of Wachovia against Wachovia and some or all of the members of its
board of directors, alleging, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty by
the director defendants.

VOTING INFORMATION

GENERAL

According to information contained in the stockholder list materials
provided to SunTrust by Wachovia, as of the Record Date there were
approximately 202.7 million shares of Wachovia Common Stock outstanding. On
each matter properly submitted to Wachovia shareholders, each Wachovia
shareholder is entitled to one vote for each outstanding share of Wachovia
Common Stock held as of the close of business on the Record Date.

PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER

Approval of the Proposed First Union Merger requires the affirmative vote
of holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of Wachovia Common Stock
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes and abstentions will
have the same effect as votes against the Proposed First Union Merger.

The accompanying BLUE proxy will be voted in accordance with the
shareholder's instructions on such BLUE proxy. Shareholders may vote against
the Proposed First Union Merger (Item 1 on the enclosed proxy card) by marking
the proper boxes on the BLUE proxy. If no instructions are given with respect
to Item 1, the BLUE proxy will be voted AGAINST the Proposed First Union
Merger.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote
AGAINST the Proposed First Union Merger on the enclosed BLUE proxy and
immediately mail it in the enclosed envelope. You may do this even if you have
already sent in a different proxy solicited by Wachovia's Board of Directors.
IT IS YOUR LATEST DATED PROXY THAT COUNTS. Execution and delivery of a proxy by
a record holder of shares of Wachovia Common Stock will be presumed to be a
proxy with respect to all shares held by such record holder unless the proxy
specifies otherwise.

You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise by attending
the Annual Meeting and voting in person, by submitting a duly executed later
dated proxy or by submitting a written, signed and dated notice of revocation
which clearly identifies the proxy being revoked to SunTrust's Secretary at 303
Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. Unless revoked in the manner set forth
above, duly executed proxies in the form enclosed will be voted at the Annual
Meeting on the Proposed First Union Merger in accordance with your
instructions. In the absence of such instructions, such proxies will be voted
AGAINST the Proposed First Union Merger.

SUNTRUST STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FIRST
UNION MERGER.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE BLUE
PROXY TODAY.

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE SENT A PROXY TO WACHOVIA, YOU MAY REVOKE
THAT PROXY AND VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER BY SIGNING,
DATING AND MAILING THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY.

If you have any questions about the voting of your shares, please call:

INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
CALL TOLL-FREE 1-877-750-9501
Banks and Brokers call collect: 212-750-5833

OTHER PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

As set forth in the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus, at the Annual
Meeting, Wachovia shareholders will be asked to approve (in addition to the
Proposed First Union Merger (i) the election of five director

candidates named in the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus, listed as Item 2 on
the enclosed proxy, (ii) ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP
as the independent auditors of Wachovia for the year 2001, listed as Item 3 on
the enclosed proxy (collectively, the "Other Proposals"), and (iii) such other
matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof. SunTrust is not making any recommendations on the Other
Proposals.

According to information contained in the Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus, election of the nominees for director requires a
plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting, and ratification of the
appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting.

The accompanying BLUE proxy card will be voted in accordance with your
instructions on such card. You may vote for approval of one or both of the
Other Proposals, or vote against, or abstain from voting on, one or both of the
Other Proposals, by marking the proper box on the BLUE proxy card. IF NO
DIRECTION IS INDICATED WITH REGARD TO EITHER OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS, YOU WILL
BE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN A DIRECTION TO ABSTAIN FROM VOTING THE SHARES
REPRESENTED BY THE BLUE PROXY CARD ON SUCH OTHER PROPOSAL.

Except as set forth above, SunTrust is not aware of any other matter to be
considered at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matter properly comes
before the Annual Meeting, SunTrust will vote all proxies held by it as
SunTrust, in its sole discretion, may determine.

CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT SUNTRUST

SunTrust is a Georgia corporation with its principal executive offices
located at 303 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. The telephone
number of SunTrust at such location is (404) 588-7711.

SunTrust, with assets of $103.5 billion, is among the nation's largest
financial holding companies. Its principal subsidiary, SunTrust Bank, offers a
full line of financial services for consumers and businesses. SunTrust serves
more than 3.7 million customer households through a regional organizational
structure that encompasses more than 1,100 branches and 1,900 ATMs in six
states -- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee and Virginia -- plus
the District of Columbia. SunTrust also offers 24-hour delivery channels
including internet and telephone banking. In addition to traditional deposit,
credit and trust and investment services offered by SunTrust Bank, other
SunTrust subsidiaries provide mortgage banking, commercial and auto leasing,
credit-related insurance, asset management, discount brokerage and capital
market services. As of December 31, 2000, SunTrust had total trust assets of
$138.4 billion, including more than $91.6 billion in discretionary trust
assets, and a mortgage-servicing portfolio in excess of $42.3 billion.

SunTrust is subject to the informational filing requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, in accordance therewith, is
obligated to file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC
relating to its business, financial condition and other matters. Information as
of particular dates concerning SunTrust's directors and officers, their
remuneration, options granted to them, the principal holders of SunTrust's
securities and any material interests of such persons in transactions with
SunTrust is required to be disclosed in proxy statements distributed to
SunTrust's stockholders and filed with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements
and other information should be available for inspection at the public
reference facilities of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, and at the regional offices of the SEC located at Seven World Trade
Center, Suite 1300, New York, NY 10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, IL 60661 (call 1-800-SEC-0330 for hours). Copies of such information
should be obtainable by mail, upon payment of the SEC's customary charges, by
writing to the SEC's principal office at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549-6009. The SEC also maintains an Internet website at
http://www.sec.gov that contains the reports, proxy statements and other
information filed electronically by SunTrust. SunTrust Common Stock is listed
on the NYSE under the symbol "STI," and reports, proxy statements and other
information concerning SunTrust should also be available at the offices of the
NYSE located at 20 Broad Street, New York, NY 10005.

DISSENTER'S RIGHTS

The following description of dissenter's rights of Wachovia shareholders
in connection with the Proposed First Union Merger is taken from the Joint
Proxy Statement-Prospectus and assumes that the Proposed First Union Merger is
completed. SunTrust does not anticipate that dissenter's rights would be
available in a merger between SunTrust and Wachovia.

According to the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus, if the Proposed First
Union Merger is completed, a Wachovia shareholder of record who objects to the
First Union Merger and who fully complies with Article 13 of the North Carolina
Business Corporation Act (the "BCA") will be entitled to demand and receive
payment in cash of an amount equal to the fair value of all, but not less than
all, of such holder's shares of Wachovia Common Stock. A shareholder of record
may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer than all of the shares registered in
that shareholder's name only if that shareholder dissents with respect to all
shares beneficially owned by any one beneficial owner and notifies Wachovia in
writing of the name and address of each person on whose behalf that registered
shareholder asserts dissenter's rights.

If you are a Wachovia shareholder and desire to dissent and receive cash
payment of the fair value of your Wachovia Common Stock you must comply with
the procedural requirements of the BCA, including, without limitation: (1)
delivering to Wachovia, prior to the shareholder vote on the Proposed First
Union Merger, a written notice of your intent to demand payment for your shares
if the Proposed First Union Merger is completed; (2) not voting your shares in
favor of the Proposed First Union Merger; and (3) demanding payment and
depositing your stock certificates with Wachovia in accordance with the terms
of a dissenters' notice to be sent to all dissenting shareholders within 10
days after the Proposed First Union Merger is approved by the Wachovia
shareholders.

Within 30 days after First Union pays for the shares of a dissenting
shareholder, or within 30 days of First Union failing to timely act in
accordance with the BCA, the dissenting shareholder may notify First Union that
he or she does not accept the estimate of fair value of the shares and interest
due on that fair value and that the shareholder demands payment in the amount
of the shareholder's own estimate of the fair value of the shares and interest
due. If, within 60 days of First Union's payment or a dissenting shareholder's
demand for payment of a different amount, whichever is earlier, the payment
amount has not been settled, the dissenting shareholder may file an action in
the Superior Court Division of the General Court of Justice, requesting that
the fair value of the dissenting shareholder's shares and the accrued interest
be determined. The dissenting shareholder will not have the right to a jury
trial. The court will have discretion to make all dissenting shareholders whose
demands remain unsettled parties to the proceeding. If a dissenting shareholder
does not begin the proceeding within the 60-day period, he will be deemed to
have withdrawn his dissent and demand for payment.

Voting against, abstaining from voting or failing to vote on the proposal
to approve the Proposed First Union Merger is not enough to satisfy the
requirements of the BCA. You must also comply with all of the conditions
relating to the separate written notice of intent to dissent to the merger, the
separate written demand for payment of the fair value of your shares of
Wachovia Common Stock and the deposit of your stock certificates.

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

Proxies will be solicited by mail, telephone, telefax, telegraph, the
Internet, newspapers and other publications of general distribution and in
person. Directors, officers and certain employees of SunTrust and the other
participants listed on Schedule II hereto may assist in the solicitation of
proxies without any additional remuneration (except as otherwise set forth in
this Proxy Statement).

SunTrust has retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated ("Innisfree") for
solicitation and advisory services in connection with solicitations relating to
the Annual Meeting, for which Innisfree is to receive a fee estimated not to
exceed $400,000 in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual
Meeting. Up to 200 people may be employed by Innisfree in connection with the
solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting. SunTrust has also agreed to
reimburse Innisfree for out-of- pocket expenses and to indemnify Innisfree
against certain liabilities and expenses, including reasonable legal fees and
related

charges. Innisfree will solicit proxies for the Annual Meeting from
individuals, brokers, banks, bank nominees and other institutional holders.
Directors, officers and certain employees of SunTrust may assist in the
solicitation of proxies without any additional remuneration. The entire expense
of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting by or on behalf of SunTrust is
being borne by SunTrust.

SunTrust has retained Morgan Stanley to act as its financial advisor in
connection with the SunTrust Merger Proposal. Pursuant to a Letter Agreement
between Morgan Stanley and SunTrust, SunTrust has agreed to pay Morgan Stanley
for its financial advisory services in connection with the SunTrust Merger
Proposal a financial advisory fee of (1) $5 million upon public announcement of
the SunTrust Merger Proposal, and (2) additional fees, in varying amounts
payable periodically or upon the occurrence of certain events, of up to $25
million (less all amounts previously paid or payable as described in (1)
above). SunTrust has also agreed to reimburse Morgan Stanley for its reasonable
expenses, including the fees and expenses of their legal counsel incurred in
connection with Morgan Stanley's engagement by SunTrust. In addition, SunTrust
has agreed to indemnify Morgan Stanley and certain related persons against
certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the federal securities
laws, arising out of their engagement.

In connection with Morgan Stanley's engagement as financial advisor,
SunTrust anticipates that certain employees of Morgan Stanley may communicate
in person, by telephone or otherwise with a limited number of institutions,
brokers or other persons who are Wachovia shareholders for the purpose of
assisting in the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting. Morgan Stanley
will not receive any fee for or in connection with such solicitation activities
apart from the fees which it is otherwise entitled to receive as described
above.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Proxy Statement contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements include, but are not limited to, (i) statements about the benefits
of the Proposed SunTrust Merger, including future financial and operating
results, cost savings and accretion to reported and cash earnings that may be
realized from such merger; (ii) statements with respect to SunTrust's plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not
historical facts; and (iii) other statements identified by words such as
"believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans",
"targets", "projects" and similar expressions. These statements are based upon
the current beliefs and expectations of SunTrust's management and are subject
to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those
set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ
materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the
forward-looking statements: (1) the businesses of SunTrust and Wachovia may not
be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult,
time-consuming or costly than expected; (2) expected revenue synergies and cost
savings from the Proposed SunTrust Merger may not be fully realized or realized
within the expected time frame; (3) revenues following the Proposed SunTrust
Merger may be lower than expected; (4) deposit attrition, operating costs,
customer loss and business disruption, including, without limitation,
difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients or
suppliers, may be greater than expected following the Proposed SunTrust Merger;
(5) the regulatory approvals required for the Proposed SunTrust Merger may not
be obtained on the proposed terms or on the anticipated schedule; (6)
SunTrust's or Wachovia's stockholders may fail to approve the Proposed SunTrust
Merger; (7) competitive pressures among depository and other financial
institutions may increase significantly and may have an effect on pricing,
spending, third-party relationships and revenues; (8) the strength of the
United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in
which the combined company will conduct operations may be different than
expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality
or a reduced demand for credit, including the resultant effect on the combined
company's loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses; (9) changes in the U.S.
and foreign legal and regulatory framework; and (10) adverse conditions in the
stock market, the public debt market and other capital markets (including
changes in interest rate conditions) and the impact of such conditions on the
combined company's capital markets and asset management activities. Additional
factors that could cause SunTrust's results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements can

be found in SunTrust's reports (such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and available at the SEC's Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov). All subsequent written and oral forward-looking
statements concerning the proposed transaction or other matters attributable to
SunTrust or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the cautionary statements above. SunTrust does not undertake any
obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or
events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

The following description of the requirements for proposing business and
director nominations at Wachovia shareholders meetings was copied from the
Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus:

In order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for
Wachovia's 2002 annual meeting of shareholders, which is presently scheduled
(if it is to be held at all) for April 26, 2002, shareholder proposals would
need to be received by the Secretary of Wachovia no later than November 19,
2001.

Wachovia's by-laws contain procedures that shareholders must follow to
present business at an annual meeting of shareholders. A Wachovia shareholder
may obtain a copy of these procedures from Wachovia's Secretary. In addition to
other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before the
2002 annual meeting of Wachovia shareholders, a Wachovia shareholder must give
notice of the matter to be presented at the meeting in a proper written form to
Wachovia's Secretary. The Secretary must receive this written notice at the
principal offices of Wachovia not earlier than December 27, 2001 and not later
than January 26, 2002. Shareholder proposals not made in accordance with these
requirements may be disregarded by the Chairman of the meeting.

Shareholders who wish to nominate persons for election as directors at the
2002 annual meeting of Wachovia shareholders, which is presently scheduled to
be held on April 26, 2002, must give written notice in accordance with the
requirements of Wachovia's by-laws to Wachovia's Secretary not earlier than
December 27, 2001 and not later than January 26, 2002. Each notice must set
forth (1) the name and address of the shareholder who proposes to make the
nomination and the name and address of the person to be nominated; (2) a
representation that the shareholder is a holder of shares of common stock
entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at
the meeting to nominate the person specified in the notice; (3) a description
of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee
and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to
which the nomination is to be made; (4) such other information regarding each
nominee as would be required to be included in a proxy statement pursuant to
the proxy rules of the SEC if the nominee had been nominated by the board of
directors or a board committee; and (5) the written consent of each nominee to
serve as a director if so elected. Nominations not made in accordance with
these requirements may be disregarded by the Chairman of the meeting.

OTHER INFORMATION

All information concerning Wachovia, First Union and the Proposed First
Union Merger contained herein has been taken from or based upon, and is
qualified in its entirety by, the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus and other
publicly available documents on file with the SEC and other publicly available
information. SunTrust does not take any responsibility for the accuracy or
completeness of such information or for any failure by Wachovia to disclose
events that may have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of
any such information.

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

Dated: June 22, 2001

If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares,
please call:

INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
CALL TOLL-FREE 1-877-750-9501
Banks and Brokers call collect: 212-750-5833

SCHEDULE I

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS,
DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT OF WACHOVIA

According to information contained in Wachovia's Proxy Statement filed
with the SEC on March 19, 2001 (the "March Proxy Statement"), as of February
20, 2001, there were 204,036,945 shares of Wachovia Common Stock outstanding.
Pursuant to the First Union Option Agreement, Wachovia granted First Union an
option to purchase up to 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Wachovia
Common Stock at the close of business on April 12, 2001. The information
contained in this Schedule I has been copied from the March Proxy Statement.
SunTrust does not take any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of
such information or for any failure by Wachovia to disclose events that may
have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of any such
information.

The following table was copied from the March Proxy Statement and sets
forth, as of February 20, 2001, the number of shares of Wachovia Common Stock
held by each director or nominee for director of Wachovia and each executive
officer named in the March Proxy Statement's Summary Compensation Table, and by
all directors and executive officers of Wachovia as a group. Unless otherwise
noted, each individual has sole voting and investment authority with respect to
the number of shares set forth opposite his or her name.

AMOUNT AND NATURE
OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP PERCENT OF
NAME OF COMMON STOCK(1) SHARES OUTSTANDING(2)
--------------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------------

F. Duane Ackerman ..................... 2,223 *
Leslie M. Baker, Jr.(3) ............... 498,645 *
James S. Balloun ...................... 2,250 *
Peter C. Browning ..................... 1,450 *
John T. Casteen, III .................. 2,137 *
Jean E. Davis(3) ...................... 56,466 *
Mickey W. Dry(3) (4) (5) .............. 242,929 *
Thomas K. Hearn, Jr ................... 3,148 *
George W. Henderson, III(5) ........... 3,459 *
W. Hayne Hipp ......................... 7,770 *
Robert A. Ingram ...................... 1,700 *
George R. Lewis ....................... 6,439 *
Elizabeth Valk Long ................... 2,100 *
Robert S. McCoy, Jr.(3) (5) ........... 178,369 *
Lloyd U. Noland, III(6) ............... 90,348 *
Morris W. Offit(7) .................... 489,201 *
G. Joseph Prendergast(3) (8) .......... 237,325 *
Sherwood H. Smith, Jr.(5) (9) ......... 9,129 *
John C. Whitaker, Jr .................. 5,522 *
Dona Davis Young ...................... 400 *
All Directors and Executive
Officers as a Group (26
persons) ............................. 2,301,194 1.12%

* Less than 1%

(1) Includes the following number of shares of common stock that could have
been acquired within 60 days of February 20, 2001 through the exercise of
stock options or stock appreciation rights that are settled in shares of
common stock, or the vesting of restricted stock awards under one or more
of Wachovia's stock plans: Mr. Baker, 353,098 shares; Ms. Davis, 50,900
shares; Mr. Dry, 130,331 shares; Mr. McCoy, 122,000 shares; Mr.
Prendergast, 157,000 shares; and all directors and executive officers as
a group, 1,188,736 shares.

I-1

(2) Based on the number of shares outstanding at, or acquirable within 60
days of, February 20, 2001.

(3) Includes shares held by Wachovia Bank, as Trustee under Wachovia's
Retirement Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan, as follows: Mr. Baker, 164
shares; Ms. Davis, 3,488 shares; Mr. Dry, 129 shares; Mr. McCoy, 11,111
shares; Mr. Prendergast, 164 shares; and all executive officers as a
group, 21,796 shares.

(4) Retired as of January 31, 2001.

(5) Excludes shares owned by or for the benefit of family members of the
following directors and executive officers, each of whom disclaims
beneficial ownership of such shares: Mr. Dry, 3,000 shares; Mr.
Henderson, 1,668 shares; Mr. McCoy, 973 shares; and Mr. Smith, 3,000
shares.

(6) Includes 848 shares held in trusts of which Mr. Noland is a co-trustee.
Excludes 2,970 units held by Wachovia Bank, as Trustee under the Central
Fidelity Directors Plan, for Mr. Noland. The units are equivalent to
shares of common stock and do not have voting rights. The units will be
settled in stock according to Mr. Noland's election under the plan.

(7) Includes 114,200 shares held by a family limited liability company of
which Mr. Offit is a member. Excludes 99,200 shares held by a charitable
remainder trust of which Mr. Offit's spouse is a co-trustee and of which
Mr. Offit's adult children have a remainder interest.

(8) Retired as of January 1, 2001.

(9) Retired as of April 27, 2001.

The following table sets forth information for each person who, as of
February 20, 2001, beneficially owned more than 5% of Wachovia's common stock.
According to the March Proxy Statement, to the best of Wachovia's knowledge, no
other person owned more than 5% of Wachovia's common stock as of February 20,
2001.

AMOUNT AND NATURE
OF BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHARES OF PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK
------------------------------------ ------------------ ---------------

Wachovia Corporation(1) 13,449,686(1) 6.61%
Wachovia Bank, National Association
Wachovia Securities, Inc.
100 North Main Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Wellington Management Company, LLP 12,604,294(2) 6.19%(2)
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109

----------
(1) Wachovia Bank, National Association ("Wachovia Bank") and Wachovia
Securities, Inc. are each wholly owned subsidiaries of Wachovia. All of
the shares of Wachovia's common stock held by these two companies are
held in fiduciary or representative capacities for the benefit of other
persons. These two companies have, in the aggregate, sole voting power
for 5,481,847 shares, shared voting power for 3,180,907 shares, sole
dispositive power for 3,912,005 shares and shared dispositive power for
8,547,387 shares. This information is based on Wachovia's Form 13G dated
February 12, 2001.

(2) Wellington Management Company, LLP ("Wellington") is a registered
investment adviser and holds shares of Wachovia's common stock on behalf
of its investment advisory clients. Wellington has shared voting power
for 4,698,206 shares and shared dispositive power for 12,604,294 shares.
This information is based on Wellington's Form 13G dated February 14,
2001.

I-2

SCHEDULE II

INFORMATION CONCERNING
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF SUNTRUST
AND OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY SOLICIT PROXIES

The following tables set forth the name and the title of persons who may
be deemed to be participants on behalf of SunTrust in the solicitation of
proxies from the stockholders of Wachovia.

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF SUNTRUST

NAME POSITION
------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------

L. Phillip Humann Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
J. Hyatt Brown Director
Alston D. Correll Director
Douglas N. Daft Director
A.W. Dahlberg Director
Patricia C. Frist Director
David H. Hughes Director
M. Douglas Ivester Director
Summerfield K. Johnston, Jr. Director
Joseph L. Lanier, Jr. Director
G. Gilmer Minor, III Director
Larry L. Prince Director
R. Randall Rollins Director
Frank S. Royal, M.D. Director
James B. Williams Director
John W. Clay, Jr. Vice Chairman
Theodore J. Hoepner Vice Chairman
John W. Spiegel Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer
James M. Wells, III Vice Chairman
Ray Fortin General Counsel
Don Heroman Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Gary Peacock Director of Investor Relations
Barry Koling Public Relations Director
Richard Blumberg Senior Vice President
Robert H. Coords Executive Vice President
Donald S. Downing Executive Vice President
Samuel O. Franklin, III Chairman of SunTrust Bank, Nashville and SunTrust Banks of
Tennessee, Inc.
C.T. Hill Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, SunTrust Bank,
Mid-Atlantic
Craig J. Kelly Executive Vice President
George W. Koehn Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, SunTrust Bank,
Florida
Carl F. Mentzer Executive Vice President
Joy Wilder Morgan Senior Vice President
Dennis M. Patterson Executive Vice President
William H. Rogers, Jr. Executive Vice President
R. Charles Shufeldt Executive Vice President
Robert C. Whitehead President and Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Information
Services

II-1

NAME POSITION
------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Jenner Wood, III Chief Executive Officer, SunTrust Bank, Atlanta and SunTrust
Bank, Georgia
Thomas H. Yochum Chief Executive Officer and President, Central Florida Banking
Unit
William H. Davison Chief Executive Officer and President, East Central Florida
Banking Unit
Ray L. Sandhagen Chief Executive Officer and President, Gulf Coast Banking Unit
John P. Hashagen Chief Executive Officer and President, Miami Banking Unit
Charles W. McPherson Chief Executive Officer and President, Mid-Florida Banking Unit
James H. Kimbrough Chief Executive Officer and President, Nature Coast Banking Unit
William H. Evans Chief Executive Officer and President, North Central Florida
Banking Unit
John R. Schmitt Chief Executive Officer and President, North Florida Banking Unit
Thomas G. Kuntz Chief Executive Officer and President, South Florida Banking Unit
Charles K. Idelson Chief Executive Officer and President, Southwest Florida Banking
Unit
Daniel W. Mahurin Chief Executive Officer and President, Tampa Bay Banking Unit
David B. Ramsay Chief Executive Officer and President, Northwest Florida Banking
Unit
William R. Thompson Chief Executive Officer and President, Augusta Banking Unit
James B. Patton Chief Executive Officer and President, Middle Georgia Banking
Unit
Robert D. Bishop Chief Executive Officer and President, Northeast Georgia Banking
Unit
William H. Pridgen Chief Executive Officer and President, Northwest Georgia Banking
Unit
William B. Haile Chief Executive Officer and President, Savannah Banking Unit
Willis D. Sims Chief Executive Officer and President, South Georgia Banking
Unit
Jack E. Hartman Chief Executive Officer and President, Southeast Georgia Banking
Unit
Frank S. Etheridge, III Chief Executive Officer and President, West Georgia Banking Unit
A. Dale Cannady Chief Executive Officer and President, Central Virginia Banking
Unit
Peter F. Nostrand Chief Executive Officer and President, Greater Washington
Banking Unit
William K. Butler II Chief Executive Officer and President, Hampton Roads Banking
Unit
J. Scott Wilfong Chief Executive Officer and President, Maryland Banking Unit
Robert C. Lawson, Jr. Chief Executive Officer and President, Western Virginia Banking
Unit
Robert J. Sudderth, Jr. Chief Executive Officer and President, Chattanooga Banking Unit
R. King Purnell Chief Executive Officer and President, East Tennessee Banking
Unit
W. David Jones Chief Executive Officer and President, South Central Tennessee
Banking Unit
Scott Probasco Former Director -- SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Tim Ford Executive Vice President, Chattanooga Banking Unit
Brenda Skidmore Compliance Officer
Linwood Ivy Maryland Banking Unit Advisory Board
Cathy Nash Executive Vice President, Florida Banking Unit

II-2

NAME POSITION
------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------

Bill Ginther Executive Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Banking Unit
Pete Walczuk, Sr. Vice President, Georgia Banking Unit
Mike Butler Executive Vice President, Florida Banking Unit
King Purnell President, Tennessee Banking Unit
Bill Foster Group Executive Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Banking Unit
David Langston Administration Branch Manager, Georgia Banking Unit
Scott Maxwell Senior Vice President, Georgia Banking Unit
Bill Long Senior Vice President, Tennessee Banking Unit
Glenn Carter Senior Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Banking Unit
Gideon Haymaker Executive Vice President, Florida Banking Unit
Walter Hale Executive Vice President, Tennessee Banking Unit
Phil Wright Chairman, Mid-Atlantic Banking Unit
Gay Abbott Executive Vice President, Georgia Banking Unit
Margaret Callihan Manager, Tennessee Banking Unit

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, SunTrust beneficially owns 1,000
shares of Wachovia Common Stock, 500 of which are held of record by SunTrust.

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the following participants in the
solicitation of proxies had the interests in Wachovia, by security holdings or
otherwise, set forth opposite their names:

NAME INTEREST
------------------------- ----------------------------------

Joseph L. Lanier, Jr. 10,000 shares of common stock*
R. Randall Rollins 8,200 shares of common stock
John W. Clay, Jr. 25 shares of common stock
Theodore J. Hoepner 280 shares of common stock
John W. Spiegel Two mortgage loans at market rate
Samuel O. Franklin, III 100 shares of common stock
E. Jenner Wood, III 3,652 shares of common stock
Charles K. Idelson 300 shares of common stock
William B. Haile Loans secured by real estate
Robert J. Sudderth, Jr. 251 shares of common stock

In addition, each of the following directors of SunTrust is also a director or
officer of the company set forth opposite his name, which company has normal
commercial banking relationships with Wachovia Corporation:

NAME COMPANY
-------------------- ----------------------------

Alston D. Correll Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Douglas N. Daft The Coca-Cola Company
A.W. Dahlberg Mirant Corporation
R. Randall Rollins Rollins, Inc.

Other than as set forth herein, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, neither
SunTrust nor any of the other participants listed above has any substantial
interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in Wachovia.

----------
* Held by SunTrust as agent for co-executors under will of J.L. Lanier,
Sr., of which Mr. Lanier, Jr. is a co-executor.

II-3

OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY ALSO SOLICIT PROXIES

Representatives of Morgan Stanley:

NAME POSITION
----------------- ------------------

Gregory Kennedy Vice President
Gary Parr Managing Director
Jonathan Pruzan Principal
William Weiant Managing Director
Shane Zhang Associate

Morgan Stanley engages in a full range of investment banking, securities
trading, market- making and brokerage services for institutional and individual
clients. In the normal course of its business, Morgan Stanley may trade the
debt and equity securities of Wachovia for its own account and the accounts of
its customers, and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position
in such securities. Morgan Stanley has informed SunTrust that, as of the close
of business on May 10, 2001, Morgan Stanley, for its own account, held a net
long position of 139,885 shares of Wachovia Common Stock and owned $2 million
aggregate principal amount of Wachovia's 6.605% subordinated notes due 2025.
Morgan Stanley and certain of its affiliates also may have voting and
dispositive power with respect to certain shares of Wachovia Common Stock held
in asset management, brokerage and other accounts. Morgan Stanley and such
affiliates disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares of Wachovia Common
Stock. Morgan Stanley does not admit that it or any of its partners, directors,
officers, employees, affiliates or controlling persons, if any, is a
"participant" as defined in Schedule 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, in
the solicitation of proxies, or that Schedule 14A requires the disclosure of
certain information concerning it or them. Morgan Stanley's principal business
address is 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036.

II-4

SCHEDULE III

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information
and explanatory notes are presented to show the impact of the Proposed SunTrust
Merger on the historical financial positions and results of operations of
SunTrust and Wachovia under the purchase method of accounting. Under this
method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of the company not surviving
the merger are, as of the effective date of the merger, recorded at their
respective fair values and added to those of the surviving corporation. The
unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information combines the
historical financial information of SunTrust and Wachovia as of and for the
three months ended March 31, 2001, and for the year ended December 31, 2000.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2001
assumes the Proposed SunTrust Merger was consummated on that date. The
unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income give effect to the
Proposed SunTrust Merger as if the merger had been consummated at the beginning
of each period presented.

SunTrust has not had access to proprietary and confidential corporate
financial and other information of Wachovia in connection with the Proposed
SunTrust Merger and has not had an opportunity to undertake any current due
diligence procedures. Such information and procedures may provide SunTrust with
additional information that could materially affect the assumptions and pro
forma adjustments and, accordingly, the purchase price allocation and remaining
net tangible assets.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based
on and derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical
consolidated financial statements and the related notes of both SunTrust and
Wachovia, which have been filed previously with the SEC. SunTrust also has
reviewed Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of First
Union Corporation filed on June 18, 2001, in connection with the Proposed First
Union Merger. That filing included unaudited pro forma combined financial
information for First Union and Wachovia as if the Proposed First Union Merger
had occurred on certain specified dates. Certain pro forma adjustments that
SunTrust noted in reviewing this unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial information have not been incorporated in the accompanying unaudited
pro forma condensed combined financial information because information
necessary to make or assess such adjustments is not available to SunTrust.

Furthermore, the ultimate purchase price for the acquisition of Wachovia
may change significantly from the current estimate. For purposes of the
unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, the purchase
price has been estimated based upon the average closing price of SunTrust
Common Stock two days prior to and two days after the announcement of the
SunTrust Merger Proposal on May 14, 2001, times the exchange ratio of 1.081
shares of SunTrust Common Stock for each share of Wachovia Common Stock in the
Proposed SunTrust Merger. The final purchase price would be based on the
average market price of SunTrust Common Stock surrounding the date that a
definitive merger agreement is entered into by SunTrust and Wachovia. As a
result, the final determination and allocation of purchase price may materially
differ from the amounts assumed in this unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is
presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of
the operating results that would have occurred or what the financial position
of SunTrust would have been had the Proposed SunTrust Merger been completed at
the beginning of the period or as of the date for which the pro forma data are
presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results or
financial position of the combined company.

III-1

SUNTRUST BANKS, INC. AND WACHOVIA CORPORATION
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
MARCH 31, 2001
(UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2001
--------------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
SUNTRUST WACHOVIA (NOTE 4) COMBINED
(IN MILLIONS) ------------ ---------- ------------- ------------

ASSETS
Cash and due from banks ...................... $ 3,260 $ 3,015
-- -- (419)
-- -- (100)
-- -- (1,500)
-------- ------- ------ -------
Total Cash and due from banks ........... 3,260 3,015 (2,019) 4,256
Interest-bearing deposits in banks ........... 242 238 -- 480
Funds sold ................................... 997 592 -- 1,589
-------- ------- ------ -----
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents ......... 4,499 3,845 (2,019) 6,325
-------- ------- ------ -----
Trading account .............................. 1,441 884 -- 2,325
Investment securities ........................ 20,274 9,051 -- 29,325
Loans ........................................ 70,360 56,703 -- 127,063
Reserve for loan losses ...................... (872) (851) -- (1,723)
-------- ------- ------ -------
Loans, net .............................. 69,488 55,852 -- 125,340
-------- ------- ------ -------
Mortgage loans held for sale ................. 2,537 -- -- 2,537
Premises and equipment ....................... 1,605 957 (75) 2,487
Customer acceptances ......................... 108 79 -- 187
Intangible assets ............................ 869 1,506
-- -- 8,573
-- -- (1,506)
-- -- 2,000
-------- ------- ------ --------
Total Intangible Assets ................. 869 1,506 9,067 11,442
Other assets ................................. 2,905 3,432 -- 6,337
-------- ------- ------ -------
Total Assets ............................ $103,726 $75,606 $ 6,973 $186,305
======== ======= ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing ........................ $ 13,532 $ 8,884 $ (315) $ 22,101
Interest-bearing ........................... 49,190 36,733 (1,185) 84,738
-------- ------- -------- --------
Total Deposits .......................... 62,722 45,617 (1,500) 106,839
Short-term borrowings ........................ 16,041 9,516 -- 25,557
Acceptances outstanding ...................... 108 79 -- 187
Other liabilities ............................ 4,499 2,816
-- -- 700
-- -- 150
-- -- 75
-------- ------- --------
Total Other Liabilities ................. 4,499 2,816 925 8,240
Long-term debt ............................... 12,526 10,713 -- 23,239
-------- ------- -------- --------
Total Liabilities ....................... 95,896 68,741 (575) 164,062
-------- ------- -------- --------

III-2

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock; none issued ............................ -- -- -- --
Common stock ............................................ 323 1,052
-- -- 227
-- -- (1,052)
--- ----- ------
Total Common Stock ................................. 323 1,052 (825) 550
Additional paid-in capital .............................. 1,271 1,142 --
-- -- 14,206
-- -- 207
-- -- 4,596
-- -- 75
-- -- (6,865)
-- -- 825
----- ----- ------
Total Additional paid-in capital ................... 1,271 1,142 13,044 15,457
Retained earnings ....................................... 6,532 4,596 (4,596) 6,532
Accumulated other comprehensive income .................. 1,608 75 (75) 1,608
Treasury stock .......................................... (1,904) -- -- (1,904)
------ ----- ------ ------

Total Stockholders' Equity ......................... 7,830 6,865 7,548 22,243
------ ----- ------ ------

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity ......... $103,726 $75,606 $ 6,973 $186,305
======== ======= ======== ========

See accompanying notes to pro forma financial information.

III-3

SUNTRUST BANKS, INC. AND WACHOVIA CORPORATION
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001
(UNAUDITED)

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001
----------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
SUNTRUST WACHOVIA (NOTE 5) COMBINED
(IN MILLIONS) ---------- ---------- ------------- ----------

Interest income ............................................. $ 1,744 $ 1,350 $ -- $ 3,094
Interest expense ............................................ 939 721 -- 1,660
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net interest income ......................................... 805 629 -- 1,434
Provision for loan losses ................................... 67 121 -- 188
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses ......... 738 508 -- 1,246
Securities transactions--portfolio .......................... 57 9 -- 66
Fees and other noninterest income ........................... 469 491 -- 960
Restructuring and merger-related charges .................... -- 13 -- 13
Noninterest expense ......................................... 743 618 223 1,584
-------- -------- ------- --------
Income before income taxes .................................. 521 377 (223) 675
Income taxes ................................................ 183 135 (48) 270
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net Income ............................................... $ 338 $ 242 $ (175) $ 405
======== ======== ======= ========
Per Common Share Data (Note 6):
Basic ....................................................... $ 1.16 $ 1.17 $ 0.79
Diluted ..................................................... 1.14 1.17 0.78
======== ======== ========
Average common shares outstanding (in thousands)
Basic ....................................................... 291,805 206,061 16,691 514,557
Diluted ..................................................... 295,832 207,569 16,813 520,214

See accompanying notes to pro forma financial information.

III-4

SUNTRUST BANKS, INC. AND WACHOVIA CORPORATION
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
(UNAUDITED)

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
SUNTRUST WACHOVIA (NOTE 5) COMBINED
(IN MILLIONS) ---------- ---------- ------------- ------------

Interest income ......................................... $ 6,845 $ 5,345 $ -- $ 12,190
Interest expense ........................................ 3,737 2,830 -- 6,567
-------- -------- ------- ---------
Net interest income ..................................... 3,108 2,515 -- 5,623
Provision for loan losses ............................... 134 588 -- 722
-------- -------- ------- ---------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses ..... 2,974 1,927 -- 4,901
Securities transactions--portfolio ...................... 7 -- -- 7
Fees and other noninterest income ....................... 1,767 1,931 -- 3,698
Restructuring and merger-related charges ................ 42 136 -- 178
Noninterest expense ..................................... 2,787 2,447 843 6,077
-------- -------- ------- ---------
Income before income taxes .............................. 1,919 1,275 (843) 2,351
Income taxes ............................................ 625 443 (175) 893
-------- -------- ------- ---------
Net Income ........................................... $ 1,294 $ 832 $ (668) $ 1,458
======== ======== ======= =========
Per Common Share Data (Note 6):
Basic ................................................... $ 4.35 $ 4.10 $ 2.82
Diluted ................................................. 4.30 4.07 2.79
======== ======== =========
Average common shares outstanding (in thousands)
Basic ................................................... 297,834 202,989 16,442 517,265
Diluted ................................................. 300,956 204,450 16,560 521,966

See accompanying notes to pro forma financial information.

III-5

SUNTRUST BANKS, INC. AND WACHOVIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
(UNAUDITED)

(1) The Proposed SunTrust Merger will be accounted for using the purchase
method of accounting, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of Wachovia
will be recorded at their respective fair values on the date the merger is
completed. The shares of SunTrust Common Stock issued to effect the Proposed
SunTrust Merger will be recorded at $67.54 per share which is the purchase
price per Wachovia share (giving effect to the exchange ratio of 1.081 shares
of SunTrust Common Stock for each share of Wachovia Common Stock) based on
SunTrust's closing stock prices for the two days prior and two days after the
announcement of the SunTrust Merger Proposal on May 14, 2001. The final
purchase price will be based on the average market price of SunTrust Common
Stock surrounding the date that a definitive merger agreement is entered into
by SunTrust and Wachovia. As a result, the final determination and allocation
of the purchase price may materially differ from the amounts assumed in this
unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

The pro forma financial information includes estimated adjustments to
record certain assets and liabilities of Wachovia at their respective fair
values only to the extent known and reasonably available to SunTrust from
historical public information of Wachovia. Currently, we estimate that we will
record approximately $1.0 billion of restructuring charges, merger-related
charges and purchase accounting adjustments given the limited current
information available. These consist of $400 million of purchase accounting
adjustments which are reflected in the pro forma balance sheet adjustments and
$600 million in merger-related and restructuring charges which will be expensed
when incurred. See notes (2) and (9), where these charges are discussed
further. The pro forma adjustments included herein are subject to change to the
extent additional information is made available to SunTrust. Certain other
assets and liabilities of Wachovia, principally loans, borrowings and
investment securities will also be subject to adjustment to their respective
fair values.

The unaudited pro forma financial information includes the impact of
required deposit divestitures estimated for purposes of such financial
information to be $1.5 billion. We expect to realize revenue enhancements and
cost savings following completion of the Proposed SunTrust Merger which also
are not reflected in this pro forma financial information. No assurance can be
given with the respect to the ultimate level of such revenue enhancements or
cost savings.

The final allocation of the purchase price would be determined after the
Proposed SunTrust Merger is completed and after completion of a thorough
analysis to determine the fair values of Wachovia's tangible and identifiable
intangible assets and liabilities as of the date the Proposed SunTrust Merger
is completed. Any change in the fair value of the net assets of Wachovia will
change the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill. Additionally,
changes to Wachovia's stockholders' equity including net income from April 1,
2001 through the date the Proposed SunTrust Merger is completed, will also
change the amount of goodwill recorded. In addition, the final adjustments may
be materially different from the unaudited pro forma adjustments presented
herein.

(2) The pro forma income statement for the Proposed SunTrust Merger is
included for the year ended December 31, 2000 and three months ended March 31,
2001. The pro forma adjustments herein reflect an exchange ratio of 1.081
shares of SunTrust Common Stock for each of the 210,335,000 shares of Wachovia
Common Stock that were outstanding at March 31, 2001. The unaudited pro forma
information presented in the pro forma condensed combined financial statements
is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or the combined
financial position that would have resulted had the Proposed SunTrust Merger
been completed at the beginning of the applicable period presented, nor is it
necessarily indicative of the results of operations in future periods or the
future financial position of the combined company.

III-6

The pro forma condensed combined financial information reflects the
addition of 227,372,000 shares of SunTrust Common Stock with an aggregate par
value of $227 million, an increase in paid-in capital of $13.0 billion
primarily for the excess of the fair value of the shares over the par value,
and goodwill and deposit base intangible of $8.6 billion and $2.0 billion,
respectively.

The pro forma balance sheet adjustments include $400 million in purchase
accounting adjustments which are broken down as follows:

(in millions)
Adjustment of tax liabilities $150
Lease and contract termination charges 55
Transaction costs 45
Adjustments to fair value-premises and equipment 75
Other purchase accounting liabilities 75
----
Total $400
====

In addition to the purchase accounting adjustments described above, we
expect to incur estimated merger related and restructuring charges, which are
not included in the pro forma condensed combined financial statements, totaling
$600 million which are broken down as follows:

(in millions)
System integration and conversion costs $310
Staff retention, development, and severance 290
----
Total $600
====

A portion of these expenses may be classified as additional purchase
accounting adjustments, as additional information becomes available.

The restructuring and merger related charges of $600 million are not
included in the pro forma condensed combined financial statements since they
will be recorded in the combined results of operations after the completion of
the Proposed SunTrust Merger and are not indicative of what the historical
results of the combined company would have been had the companies actually been
combined during the periods presented.

The pro forma condensed combined balance sheet does not include an
addition to the allowance for loan losses. When SunTrust is granted access to
Wachovia's books and records, the risk characteristics of the combined
portfolio will be evaluated. If an addition to the allowance for loan losses is
warranted it will be recorded as a provision for loan losses in the results of
operations of the combined company for the reporting period immediately
following the date the Proposed SunTrust Merger is completed.

III-7

(3) The computation of the purchase price, the allocation of the purchase
price to the net assets of Wachovia based on fair values estimated at March 31,
2001, the basis for determining the amount of the deposit base premium
allocated to the purchase price and the resulting amount of goodwill are
presented below.

(IN MILLIONS) MARCH 31, 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------

Wachovia common stock outstanding (in thousands) .......................... 210,335
Purchase price per share (includes 1.081 exchange ratio) .................. 67.54
-------
Value of SunTrust stock issued ........................................... 14,206
Payment for surrender of First Union option ............................... 419
Fair value of vested options .............................................. 207
-------
Total purchase price ................................................... $ 14,832
Add
Estimated purchase accounting adjustments
Premises and equipment-adjustment to fair value ........................ 75
Contract and lease termination costs ................................... 55
Transaction costs ...................................................... 45 175
-------
Estimated deposit base intangible ........................................ 2,000
Income tax rate .......................................................... 0.35
-------
Total deferred income taxes on deposit base intangibles ................ 700
Other tax liabilities .................................................... 150
Other exit costs (See Note 9 for additional costs to be incurred) ........ 75
-------
Total allocation to liabilities ........................................ 925
Deduct
Wachovia stockholders' equity ............................................ (6,865)
Wachovia goodwill and other intangible assets ............................ 1,506
-------
Total Wachovia net assets acquired ..................................... (5,359)
Estimated deposit base intangible
Wachovia deposits ........................................................ 45,617
Premium rate ............................................................. 0.0438 (2,000)
-------- --------
Goodwill ............................................................... $ 8,573
========

The amount of the payment for surrender of the First Union Option of $419
million represents the estimated in-the-money value of the option based on the
Repurchase Formula and and 210.335 million shares of Wachovia common stock
outstanding as of March 31, 2001. See "Certain Information Concerning the First
Union Option." The SunTrust Merger Proposal is conditioned on, among other
things, the invalidation of the First Union Option or the surrender by First
Union of the First Union Option in exchange for a cash payment equal to the
in-the-money value of the option, subject to the minimum surrender value of
$375 million and the maximum profit of $780 million.

The fair value of vested options represents the fair value of SunTrust
options to be issued in exchange for Wachovia options, based on an exchange
ratio of 1.081. The fair value calculation assumes the number of Wachovia
options outstanding as of December 31, 2000 are outstanding as of closing and
that all such options would vest upon closing.

III-8

(4) The pro forma adjustments related to the pro forma balance sheet at
March 31, 2001, are presented below.

(IN MILLIONS) MARCH 31, 2001
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------

Cash
Payment for surrender of First Union option .................................. $ (419)
Lease and contract termination charges and other transaction costs ........... (100)
Cash-assumed deposit divestiture ............................................. (1,500)
--------
Total Cash Adjustments ..................................................... (2,019)
Premises and equipment--adjustment to fair value .............................. (75)
Goodwill and other intangible assets--adjustment
Goodwill ..................................................................... 8,573
Wachovia goodwill and other intangible assets ................................ (1,506)
Deposit base intangible ...................................................... 2,000
--------
Goodwill and other tangible assets adjustment, net ........................... 9,067
------
Total Assets .............................................................. $ 6,973
========
Deposits
Non-interest bearing--assumed divestiture of 21 percent of $1.5 billion of
deposits ................................................................... $ (315)
Interest bearing--assumed divestiture of 79 percent of $1.5 billion of
deposits ................................................................... (1,185)
--------
Total deposit adjustment ................................................... (1,500)
--------
Other liabilities
Deferred income taxes on deposit base intangibles ............................ 700
Other tax liabilities ........................................................ 150
Other exit costs (See Note 9 for additional costs to be incurred) ............ 75
--------
Total other liabilities adjustment ......................................... 925
--------
Total liabilities adjustment ............................................... (575)
--------
Stockholders' equity
Common stock adjustment (shares to be issued at SunTrust's $1.00 par
value) ..................................................................... 227
Less Wachovia common stock ................................................... (1,052)
--------
Common stock adjustment .................................................... (825)
--------
Paid-in capital adjustment
Value of SunTrust stock issued ............................................... 14,206
Equity impact from fair value of vested options .............................. 207
Wachovia retained earnings ................................................... 4,596
Wachovia accumulated other comprehensive income .............................. 75
Wachovia stockholders' equity ................................................ (6,865)
Common stock adjustment ...................................................... 825
--------
13,044
--------
Retained earnings adjustment
Elimination of Wachovia retained earnings .................................... (4,596)
--------
Retained earnings adjustment ............................................... (4,596)
--------
Elimination of Wachovia accumulated other comprehensive income ............... (75)
--------
Stockholders' equity adjustment ............................................ 7,548
--------
Total ...................................................................... $ 6,973
========

III-9

(5) The following pro forma adjustments related to the unaudited pro forma
condensed combined statements of income reflect amortization on a seven-year
sum-of-years' digits method for the deposit base intangible and a 25-year
straight-line amortization method for goodwill.

THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
(IN MILLIONS) -------------------- -------------

Noninterest expense adjustment
Deposit base intangible amortization ........... $ 137 $ 500
Goodwill amortization .......................... 86 343
------ ------
Total noninterest expense adjustment ......... 223 843
------ ------
Reduction in income before taxes ................ (223) (843)
------ ------
Income tax adjustment
Deposit base intangible amortization ........... 137 500
Income tax rate ................................ 0.35 0.35
------- -------
Total income tax adjustment .................... (48) (175)
------- -------
Reduction in income ............................. $ (175) $ (668)
======= =======

(6) The pro forma computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for
the three months ended March 31, 2001, and for the year ended December 31,
2000, is presented below.

THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) -------------------- -------------

Net Income ..................................... $ 405 $ 1,458
======== ========
Basic earnings per share ....................... $ 0.79 $ 2.82
Diluted earnings per share ..................... 0.78 2.79
Average shares--basic (in thousands) ........... 514,557 517,265
Average shares--diluted (in thousands) ......... 520,214 521,966
======== ========

(7) On March 1, 2001, Wachovia completed the purchase of Republic Security
Financial Corporation, a bank holding company headquartered in West Palm Beach,
Florida. Republic Security had assets of $3.1 billion and deposits of $2.1
billion at December 31, 2000. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase
and resulted in intangible assets of approximately $260 million and the
issuance of 6.1 million shares of Wachovia Common Stock. The historical
financial information for Wachovia includes this acquisition as of and for the
one month ended March 31, 2001, and the pro forma condensed combined financial
information presented herein is not adjusted for this acquisition on a pro
forma basis.

On April 9, 2001, Wachovia announced an agreement to sell its consumer
credit card portfolio, which will be recorded as a discontinued operation by
Wachovia. The portfolio includes 2.8 million customer accounts and managed
balances of $8 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the second
quarter of 2001, subject to regulatory approval, and is expected to result in a
pre-tax gain of approximately $1.4 billion. This transaction is not included in
the pro forma condensed combined financial information presented herein.

(8) The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued a Proposed
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards addressing the accounting for
business combinations and acquired intangible assets. Under this proposed
standard, goodwill and certain other intangible assets would not be subject to
amortization, but rather would be subject to periodic testing for impairment.
Deposit base intangibles would continue to be subject to amortization. The FASB
currently expects to issue a final standard by mid-July; however, there is no
assurance that they will issue the final standard in accordance with that
timetable or that the final standard will have the same provisions as currently
proposed.

III-10

(9) At this time, SunTrust's plan for merger and restructuring expenses is
general in nature. The details of the plan will be determined after SunTrust's
due diligence review and assessments of the two companies' personnel, benefit
plans, premises, equipment, computer systems and service contracts. At that
time SunTrust will be able to better determine where the companies can take
advantage of redundancies or where it will be beneficial or necessary to
convert to one system.

Certain decisions arising from these assessments may involve involuntary
termination of Wachovia employees, vacating Wachovia leased premises, canceling
contracts between Wachovia and certain service providers and selling or
otherwise disposing of certain premises, furniture and equipment owned by
Wachovia. The costs associated with such decisions will be recorded as purchase
accounting adjustments, which have the effect of increasing the amount of the
purchase price allocable to goodwill. It is expected that all such costs will
be identified and recorded within one year of completion of Proposed SunTrust
Merger and all such actions required to effect these decisions would be taken
within one year after finalization of SunTrust's plans.

In addition to the costs described above, SunTrust expects to incur
estimated merger-related charges of $310 million for conversion costs and $290
million for staff retention and development, and severance. A portion of these
expenses may be classified as restructuring charges or additional purchase
accounting adjustments. To the extent that these charges are not classified as
restructuring or purchase accounting adjustments, these amounts would be
recorded over the estimated three-year period subsequent to the completion of
the Proposed SunTrust Merger as the operations of the two companies are
combined. These amounts have not been included in the pro forma condensed
combined financial information.

III-11

IMPORTANT

If your shares are held in your own name, please sign, date and return the
enclosed BLUE proxy card today. If your shares are held in "Street-Name," only
your broker or bank can vote your shares and only upon receipt of your specific
instructions. Please return the enclosed BLUE proxy card to your broker or bank
and contact the person responsible for your account to ensure that a BLUE proxy
is voted on your behalf.

Do not sign any white proxy card you may receive from Wachovia.

If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please
call:

INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
CALL TOLL-FREE 1-877-750-9501
Banks and Brokers call collect: 212-750-5833

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
IN OPPOSITION TO THE SOLICITATION BY THE WACHOVIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF WACHOVIA CORPORATION
P
R
O
X TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 3, 2001
Y

The undersigned shareholder of Wachovia Corporation ("Wachovia") hereby
appoints Theodore J. Hoepner and John W. Spiegel and each or any of them,
attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to
vote all of the shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of Wachovia
which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
of Wachovia to be held on August 3, 2001 and at any adjournments,
postponements, continuations or reschedulings thereof (the "Annual Meeting"),
with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present at the
Annual Meeting, as directed on the reverse side.

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER AND AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS AS TO
ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF NO
DIRECTION IS INDICATED FOR ITEM 1, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AGAINST APPROVAL OF
THE WACHOVIA/FIRST UNION PLAN OF MERGER. IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED ON ITEMS
2 OR 3, THIS PROXY WILL ABSTAIN FROM VOTING WITH RESPECT TO THOSE ITEMS.

THIS PROXY REVOKES ALL PRIOR PROXIES GIVEN BY THE UNDERSIGNED WITH RESPECT TO
THE MATTERS COVERED HEREBY.

(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE.)

SUNTRUST RECOMENDS THAT YOU VOTE AGAINST ITEM 1 BELOW.

1. Approval of the plan of merger contained in the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated April 15, 2001, and amended and restated, between Wachovia
Corporation, a North Carolina corporation, and Union Corporation, a North
Carolina corporation

AGAINST [ ] FOR [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]

2. Election of directors of Wachovia Corporation

James S. Balloun Peter C. Browning W. Hayne Hipp Lloyd U. Noland, III Dona
Davis Young

* INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE,
INDICATED)STRIKE THROUGH THAT INDIVIDUAL'S NAME

FOR ALL WITHHOLD
NOMINEES AUTHORITY
LISTED FOR ALL
(EXCEPT AS NOMINEES
INDICATED)* [ ] LISTED [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]

3. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Wachovia
Corporation's independent auditors for the year 2001

FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]

4. The proxies are authorized to vote in their discretion upon all such other
matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

Dated , 2001
------------------------
Signature
---------------------------

Signature (if held jointly)
----------

Title(s):
----------------------------

Please sign your name exactly as it
appears hereon. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian please give your
full title. If a corporation, please
sign in full corporate name by the
president or other authorized officer.
If a partnership, please sign the
partnership name by authorized
person(s).

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED, POSTAGE-PAID
ENVELOPE.

If you need assistance in voting your shares, please call Innisfree M&A
Incorporated, SunTrust's proxy solicitor, toll-free at 1-877-750-9501