First Charter Announces Stock Repurchase Plan.

Business Editors

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2003

First Charter Corporation (NASDAQ: FCTR) announced today that the Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan to acquire up to 1.5 million shares, or approximately 5.1%, of the Corporation's common stock. The shares will be purchased from time to time at the Corporation's discretion and will be retired. The purchases of shares will be affected in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions and will be made in compliance with all applicable regulatory guidelines. The repurchase program may be discontinued at any time.

"Our Board believes that First Charter Corporation stock continues to be an attractive investment with potential for continued long-term growth," commented Lawrence M. Kimbrough, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This repurchase program is consistent with our determination to build maximum value for our shareholders."

Corporate Profile

First Charter Corporation is a regional financial services company with assets of $4.1 billion and is the holding company for First Charter Bank. First Charter operates 53 financial centers, five insurance offices and 93 ATMs located in 17 counties throughout the piedmont and western half of North Carolina. First Charter also operates one mortgage origination office in Virginia. First Charter provides businesses and individuals with a broad range of financial services, including banking, financial planning, funds management, investments, insurance, mortgages and a full array of employee benefit programs. Additional information about First Charter can be found by visiting www.FirstCharter.com or by calling 1-800-601-8471. First Charter's common stock is traded under the symbol "FCTR" on the NASDAQ National Market.

Forward Looking Statements

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