5/13/2008

First Charter Announces Appointment of Loree Shano to Financial Center Manager

CHARLOTTE, NC — First Charter has announced the appointment of Loree Shano to the position of Financial Center Manager. She is responsible for branch management, consumer lending, and business development for the Renaissance Financial Center market area.

Shano joined First Charter in February 2008 with over seven years of financial industry experience in the Charlotte market. Prior to joining First Charter, Shano served as a financial center manager with another large financial institution. She lives in Mt. Pleasant with her husband and their three daughters.

Corporate Profile

First Charter Corporation (NASDAQ: FCTR), headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a regional financial services company with assets of $4.8 billion and is the holding company for First Charter Bank. First Charter operates 60 financial centers, four insurance offices, and 137 ATMs in North Carolina and Georgia, and also operates loan origination offices in Asheville, North Carolina and Reston, Virginia. First Charter provides businesses and individuals with a broad range of financial services, including banking, financial planning, wealth management, investments, insurance, and mortgages. For more information about First Charter, visit the Company's Web site at www.FirstCharter.com or call 800-601-8471.

For Additional Information Contact:
Kristen Diley
Corporate Communications
704-688-4453