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

Filed by the Registrant [ ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [X]


Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement                   [ ] Confidential, for the use
                                                      of the  Commission only
                                                      (as permitted by Rule
                                                      14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] 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)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

     [X]  No fee required.

     [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
         and 0-11.

1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

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2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

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3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
     to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
     calculated and state how it was determined):

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4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

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5)   Total fee paid:

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     [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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     [ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
          Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
          fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
          statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
1)   Amount previously paid:


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2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

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4)   Date filed:








                REVISED PRELIMINARY COPY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                               DATED JUNE 5, 2001


                           [SUNTRUST BANKS, INC. LOGO]


                                                                  June   , 2001


Dear Wachovia Stockholder:

         On May 14, 2001, SunTrust Banks, Inc. announced that it had delivered a
letter to your board of directors proposing a business combination between
SunTrust and 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 4, 2001 closing stock prices, our proposal has a value of $67.13 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 [ ], at [ ] a.m., local time. 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 4, 2001 closing prices, the SunTrust merger
               proposal would provide you with $67.13 per share





               in value, representing a premium of $1.81 per share (or almost
               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.

                                       2



         If the proposed First Union Merger is not approved by Wachovia
shareholders, we would expect your board of directors to meet with us to discuss
our merger proposal. However, because there can be no assurance that your board
of directors will meet with us even if the proposed First Union Merger is not
approved, we are soliciting your vote to approve an amendment to Wachovia's
bylaws that would provide shareholders collectively owning 10% or more of the
outstanding Wachovia common stock the right to call a special meeting of
stockholders. If this bylaw is approved and the proposed First Union/Wachovia
merger is not approved, then following receipt of necessary regulatory
approvals, we would seek to call a special meeting of Wachovia stockholders in
order to expand the size of the Wachovia board and elect nominees who, subject
to their fiduciary duties as Wachovia directors and subject to Wachovia's Merger
Agreement with First Union, would be committed to pursuing a merger of Wachovia
with SunTrust unless a strategic alternative were then available providing
superior value to Wachovia shareholders from a financial point of view, taking
into account current and long-term value, strategic and cultural fit, and the
impact on Wachovia's customers, employees and communities.

         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
AND FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO WACHOVIA'S BYLAWS BY SIGNING, DATING AND
RETURNING THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD TODAY. IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED HOLDER
OF WACHOVIA SHARES, YOU MAY ALSO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR THROUGH THE INTERNET BY
FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.

         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,


                                 L. Phillip Humann
                                 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer



                                       3





         THIS PROXY STATEMENT RELATES SOLELY TO THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES IN
OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION/WACHOVIA MERGER AND IN FAVOR OF
SUNTRUST'S PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO WACHOVIA'S BYLAWS 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.




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                                    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.

4.   If you are a registered holder of Wachovia shares, you may also vote by
     telephone or through the Internet by following the instructions on the
     enclosed BLUE proxy card.

     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


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                REVISED PRELIMINARY COPY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                               DATED JUNE 5, 2001


                       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
                    AND FOR APPROVAL OF A PROPOSED AMENDMENT
                      TO THE BYLAWS OF WACHOVIA 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 [ ], at [ ]a.m., local time, 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"),
and to vote FOR a proposed amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of
Wachovia (the "Wachovia Bylaws") as described below under "Proposed Amendment to
Wachovia's Bylaws." 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
[ ], 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 4, 2001, the SunTrust Merger Proposal had a
value of $67.13 per Wachovia share, which represents a 3% premium over the
implied value of the Proposed First Union Merger of $65.32 (based on the 2.0
exchange ratio in that transaction and the $32.66 closing price of First Union
common stock on June 4, 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 IV 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, between First Union and Wachovia (as amended, 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


                                       2


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



                                       3



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 First
Union Option, 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.

         As discussed more fully below under "Proposed Amendment to Wachovia's
Bylaws," SunTrust is soliciting proxies for approval of a proposal to amend the
Wachovia Bylaws to provide holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of
Wachovia Common Stock with the right to call a special meeting of shareholders
(the "Proposed Bylaw Amendment"). If SunTrust's solicitation against the
Proposed First Union Merger is successful, SunTrust believes that Wachovia's
Board of Directors should respect the results of that shareholder vote and,
subject to the First Union Merger Agreement, enter into discussions with
SunTrust with respect to the SunTrust Merger Proposal. However, there can be no
assurance that Wachovia's Board of Directors will enter into discussions with
SunTrust in such circumstances. If the Wachovia Board of Directors does not
enter into such discussions, then, following receipt by SunTrust of the
necessary regulatory approvals and assuming the Proposed Bylaw Amendment is
approved by Wachovia shareholders, SunTrust intends to seek to call a special
meeting of Wachovia shareholders for the purpose of increasing the number of
directors on the Wachovia Board of Directors and electing a slate of nominees to
fill the resulting vacancies. If elected, SunTrust anticipates that such
nominees, subject to their fiduciary duties as directors of Wachovia and subject
to Wachovia's merger agreement with First Union, would pursue a merger with
SunTrust unless a strategic alternative were then available providing superior
value from a financial point of view taking into account current and long-term
value, strategic and cultural fit, and the impact on Wachovia's customers,
employees and communities.

         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. By
voting "for" the Proposed Bylaw Amendment, Wachovia shareholders can take a step
towards securing their ability to consider the Proposed SunTrust Merger.

         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



                                       4



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 4, 2001 closing prices, the
               SunTrust Merger Proposal represents a premium of approximately 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
               4, 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 $68.26.


          (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



                                       5



               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.



                                       6



          (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. SunTrust's total
               retail deposits in these markets also increased by approximately
               3% in the year ended April 30, 2000, which period included the
               systems conversion of the former Crestar franchise at the end of
               May 2000. 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 management 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



                                       7



               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)........................     $65.32                $67.13
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 4, 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



                                       8




     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 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 reflects certain historical financial and stock
performance data for SunTrust and First Union:

                                                  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).........   (4)%(5)               12%

5-Year Net Revenue Per Share CAGR (3)..........   0%(5)                 8%

5-Year Dividends Per Share CAGR(4).............   (3%)(5)               14%

Restructuring Charges--Last 5 Years(6)..........  $7,210MM              $365MM

First Quarter '01 Return on Assets (2).........   1.0%                  1.2%

First Quarter '01 Return on Equity (2)(7)......   15.6%                 19.5%

First Quarter '01 Efficiency Ratio(8)..........   62.8%                 57.2%

First Quarter '01 Tangible Common Ratio(9).....   5.0%                  6.8%

------------------------------



                                       9





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

(2)  Excludes restructuring and merger-related charges and other non-recurring
     items. CAGR based on 1996 to 2001 actual and estimated EPS based on Wall
     Street consensus estimates for 2001 (First Call).
(3)  Excludes non-recurring items. CAGR based on 1996 to 2001, with first
     quarter 2001 net revenue per share annualized.
(4)  CAGR based on 1996 to 2001, with first quarter 2001 dividend annualized.
(5)  Adjusted for 1997 2-for-1 stock split.

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

(7)  SunTrust return on equity based on realized equity.
(8)  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.

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


     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


                                       10




          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 with respect to 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



                                       11





               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 AND FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO
WACHOVIA'S BYLAWS. 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 AND FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO WACHOVIA'S BYLAWS 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. IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED OWNER, YOU MAY ALSO VOTE BY
TELEPHONE OR THROUGH THE INTERNET BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED
PROXY CARD.

         THIS PROXY STATEMENT RELATES SOLELY TO THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES IN
OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION/WACHOVIA MERGER AND FOR THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENT TO WACHOVIA'S BYLAWS 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.



                                       12



                                   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


                                13




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



                                       14



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.




                                       15


         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


                                       16



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



                                       17


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

--------------------
     *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.


                                       18






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.

         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.

                                       19


         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 15, 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 corporate records and
documents of Wachovia pursuant to his rights under the North Carolina Business
Corporation Act and North Carolina common law. As of the date of this Proxy
Statement, Wachovia has not complied with Mr. Hoepner's demand.


         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. 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



                                       20




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 initiated litigation against SunTrust in state court in North
Carolina. On May 23, 2001, First Union filed an amended complaint in its
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. See "Certain Litigation."

         On June 1, 2001, SunTrust and the plaintiffs in the litigation in North
Carolina state court entered into a consent stipulation agreeing to take
appropriate action to have the North Carolina state action




                                       21



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 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. See "Proposed Amendment to Wachovia's Bylaws." Later that
day, Wachovia announced that it would consider SunTrust's proposal in due
course.

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 an Annex to
the joint proxy statement-prospectus filed as part of Amendment No. 1 to First


                                       22



Union's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on June 1, 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 had performed
no 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



                                       23




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 originally provided 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


                                       24



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 preceding the date of this Proxy Statement is $68.26.
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 $367 million ($68.26 minus the exercise
price of $59.482, multiplied by the approximately 41.8 million shares of
Wachovia common stock subject to the First Union Option). Because the Minimum
Surrender Value of the First Union Option is $375 million, which is higher than
the value of the First Union Option based on the Repurchase Formula, the
in-the-money value of the First Union Option for purposes of the First Union
Option Condition as of the date of this Proxy Statement is $375 million.

         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-months 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. 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.

                                       25


         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. 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.


                                       26


         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



                                       27



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 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.



                                       28


         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

         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. The complaint, as amended, alleges violations of Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. ss. 78n(a), and the rules promulgated
thereunder in connection with certain public statements made in connection with
the Proposed First Union Merger and the Proposed SunTrust Merger.

         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. ss.
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.

                                       29


         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, FUNB 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 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 15, 2001 pursuant to North Carolina statutory and common law.
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.

         According to disclosure contained in the Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus, since the announcement of the Proposed First Union Merger,
eight 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.


                     PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO WACHOVIA'S BYLAWS

         SunTrust is soliciting proxies for approval of its proposal to amend
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 (pursuant to Article I, Section 1.10 or Article II, Section 2.2 of the
Bylaws or otherwise) will be required with respect to any matter to be
considered or voted upon at any such special meeting. The Proposed Bylaw
Amendment is "Proposal Four" on the enclosed proxy card. The full text of the
Proposed Bylaw Amendment is set forth on Schedule III to this Proxy Statement.

         The purpose of the Proposed Bylaw Amendment is to provide Wachovia
shareholders holding 10% or more of all votes entitled to be cast on any issue
at a special meeting of shareholders with the right to call such a special
meeting for the purpose of voting on such matter or matters as such shareholders
deem appropriate, including, without limitation, matters relating to the future
direction of Wachovia. The purpose of the second sentence of the Proposed Bylaw
Amendment is to ensure that there are no impediments to the ability of the
shareholders demanding a special meeting to propose matters to be considered and
voted upon by the Wachovia shareholders at such special meeting.

                                       30


         Wachovia's bylaws currently do not provide shareholders with any
ability to call a special shareholders meeting. The 10% ownership threshold
necessary to call a special meeting pursuant to the Proposed Bylaw Amendment is
identical to the 10% threshold necessary for shareholders to call a special
meeting pursuant to Section 55-7-02 of the North Carolina Business Corporation
Act. As discussed above, the Proposed Bylaw Amendment furthers the ability of
Wachovia shareholders to bring important matters of mutual shareholder interest
before all shareholders for a vote, while ensuring that only shareholders who
collectively hold a meaningful stake in Wachovia will have the ability to call a
shareholders' meeting.

         If SunTrust's solicitation against the Proposed First Union Merger is
successful and that merger is not approved by Wachovia shareholders at the
Annual Meeting, SunTrust believes that Wachovia's Board of Directors should
respect the results of that shareholder vote and, subject to the requirements of
the merger agreement between Wachovia and First Union, enter into discussions
with SunTrust with respect to the SunTrust Merger Proposal. However, if the
Wachovia Board of Directors does not enter into such discussions, then,
following receipt by SunTrust of the necessary regulatory approvals and assuming
the Proposed Bylaw Amendment is approved by Wachovia shareholders, SunTrust
intends to seek to call a special meeting of Wachovia shareholders for the
purpose of increasing the number of directors on the Wachovia Board of Directors
and electing a slate of nominees to fill the resulting vacancies. If elected,
SunTrust anticipates that such nominees, subject to their fiduciary duties as
directors of Wachovia and subject to Wachovia's merger agreement with First
Union, would pursue a merger with SunTrust unless a strategic alternative is
then available to Wachovia that provides superior value from a financial point
of view, taking into account current and long-term value, strategic and cultural
fit and the impact on Wachovia's customers, employees and communities.

         SUNTRUST RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT BY
SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD TODAY.


                               VOTING INFORMATION


GENERAL


         According to information contained in the Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus, as of the Record Date there were [ ] 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.

                                       31


PROPOSED FIRST UNION MERGER AND PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT

         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. Approval
of the Proposed Bylaw Amendment requires that the votes cast by holders of
Wachovia Common Stock in favor of the Proposed Bylaw Amendment exceed the votes
cast opposing the Proposed Bylaw Amendment. Broker non-votes and abstentions
will not count as votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of
the vote on the Proposed Bylaw Amendment.

         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) and for the
Proposed Bylaw Amendment (Item 4 on the enclosed proxy card) by marking the
proper boxes on the BLUE proxy. If no instructions are given with respect to
Item 1 or Item 4, the BLUE proxy will be voted AGAINST the Proposed First Union
Merger and FOR the Proposed Bylaw Amendment.

         Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to
vote AGAINST the Proposed First Union Merger and FOR the Proposed Bylaw
Amendment 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 and FOR the Proposed Bylaw Amendment.

          SUNTRUST STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FIRST UNION
          MERGER AND A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT.

          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 AND FOR THE
          PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT BY SIGNING, DATING AND MAILING THE ENCLOSED
          BLUE PROXY.

                                       32


     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 and the Proposed Bylaw Amendment) (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.


                                       33


                       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.


                                       34


                               DISSENTER'S RIGHTS

         The following description of dissenter's rights of Wachovia
shareholders in connection with the Proposed First Union Merger is copied 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 Sections 55-13-01 through
55-13-31 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 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 be determined. The court will have
discretion to make all dissenting shareholders whose demand 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


                                       35



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.


                                       36




         SunTrust intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to
holders of at least the percentage of Wachovia's voting shares required under
applicable law to adopt the Proposed Bylaw Amendment. SunTrust has notified
Wachovia of this intention.



                           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

                                       37



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.

                                       38



                                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: [     ], 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




                                       39









                                   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                     *




                                       I-1


                                     Amount and Nature
                                  of Beneficial Ownership       Percent of
Name                                of Common Stock (1)    Shares Outstanding(2)
----                             ------------------------- ---------------------
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.
(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.


                                      I-2


         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
  Name and Address of                       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-3




                                   SCHEDULE II


                             INFORMATION CONCERNING
                  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE 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 EXECUTIVE 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


                                      II-1




                                          
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
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


                                      II-2




                                          
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



                                      II-3


         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*
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



In addition, each of the following directors of SunTrust is also a director 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


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 executor.


                                      II-4





                   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-5






                                  SCHEDULE III

                  PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I, SECTION 1.4
                     OF THE BYLAWS OF WACHOVIA CORPORATION

                  RESOLVED, that Section 1.4 of Article I of the Company's
Bylaws be amended by adding the following after the last sentence thereof:

                  The corporation shall hold a special meeting of shareholders
                  in accordance with the applicable provisions of the North
                  Carolina Business Corporation Act upon the delivery to the
                  corporation's secretary of one or more written demands
                  signed and dated by the holders of ten percent (10%) or more
                  of all votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be
                  considered at the proposed special meeting describing the
                  purpose or purposes for which such meeting is to be held.
                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these
                  bylaws, nothing contained in these bylaws, including without
                  limitation Section 1.10 or Section 2.2 hereof, shall require
                  that any advance notice be delivered to the corporation with
                  respect to any matter (including any director nominations)
                  to be considered or voted upon at any special meeting of
                  shareholders of the corporation held pursuant to a
                  shareholder demand made pursuant to this Section 1.4.


                                     III-1



                                  SCHEDULE IV

         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. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of First
Union Corporation filed on June 1, 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.


                                       IV-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       $ (1,960)       $  4,315
 Interest-bearing deposits in banks ....................           242            238             --             480
 Funds sold ............................................           997            592             --           1,589
                                                             ---------       --------       --------        --------
    Total Cash and Cash Equivalents ....................         4,499          3,845         (1,960)          6,384
                                                             ---------       --------       --------        --------
 Trading account .......................................         1,441            884             --           2,325
 Investment securities .................................        20,275          9,051             --          29,326
 Loans .................................................        70,360         56,703             --         127,063
 Reserve for loan losses ...............................          (872)          (851)          (450)         (2,173)
                                                             ---------       --------       --------        --------
    Loans, net .........................................        69,488         55,852           (450)        124,890
                                                             ---------       --------       --------        --------
 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          8,816          11,191
 Other assets ..........................................         2,904          3,432             --           6,336
                                                             ---------       --------       --------        --------
    Total Assets .......................................     $ 103,726       $ 75,606       $  6,331        $185,663
                                                             =========       ========       ========        ========
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            782           8,097
 Long-term debt ........................................        12,526         10,713             --          23,239
                                                             ---------       --------       --------        --------
    Total Liabilities ..................................        95,896         68,741           (718)        163,919
                                                             ---------       --------       --------        --------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Preferred stock; none issued ..........................            --             --             --              --
 Common stock ..........................................           323          1,052           (825)            550
 Additional paid-in capital ............................         1,271          1,142         12,837          15,250
 Retained earnings .....................................         6,532          4,596         (4,888)          6,240
 Accumulated other comprehensive income ................         1,608             75            (75)          1,608
 Treasury stock ........................................        (1,904)            --             --          (1,904)
                                                             ---------       --------       --------        --------
    Total Stockholders' Equity .........................         7,830          6,865          7,049          21,744
                                                             ---------       --------       --------        --------
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity .........     $ 103,726       $ 75,606       $  6,331        $185,663
                                                             =========       ========       ========        ========


           See accompanying notes to pro forma financial information.

                                       IV-2


                 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            220           1,581
                                                                 ---------      ---------        -------       ---------
Income before income taxes ..................................          521            377           (220)            678
Income taxes ................................................          183            135            (48)            270
                                                                 ---------      ---------        -------       ---------
 Net Income .................................................    $     338      $     242        $  (172)      $     408
                                                                 =========      =========        =======       =========
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.

                                       IV-3


                 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           833           6,067
                                                                 ---------      --------       -------       ---------
Income before income taxes ..................................        1,919         1,275          (833)          2,361
Income taxes ................................................          625           443          (175)            893
                                                                 ---------      --------       -------       ---------
   Net Income ...............................................    $   1,294      $    832       $  (658)      $   1,468
                                                                 =========      ========       =======       =========
PER COMMON SHARE DATA (Note 6)
Basic .......................................................    $    4.35      $   4.10                     $    2.84
Diluted .....................................................         4.30          4.07                          2.81
                                                                 =========      ========                     =========
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.

                                       IV-4


                 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 $1.4 billion of restructuring charges, merger-related
charges and purchase accounting adjustments given the limited current
information available. 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.

     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 $12.8 billion for the
excess of the fair value of the shares over the par value, and goodwill and
deposit base intangible of $8.3 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively.


                                       IV-5


     The pro forma balance sheet adjustments include $775 million that is part
of the $1.4 billion of restructuring charges, merger-related charges and
purchase accounting adjustments. The rest of the $1.4 billion in estimated
restructuring and merger-related charges are assumed to be incurred in the
three years subsequent to the closing date of the Proposed SunTrust Merger.

     The pro forma condensed combined balance sheet adjustments also include an
estimated $450 million addition to the allowance for loan losses. This
estimated addition to the allowance for loan losses will be recorded as a
provision for loan losses in the combined results of operations immediately
following the date the Proposed SunTrust Merger is completed.

     The restructuring, merger-related and provision for loan loss adjustments
are not included in the pro forma condensed combined statements of income since
they will be recorded in the combined results of operations after 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 been actually
combined during the periods presented.


     (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
                                                                                            ---------
Total purchase price ....................................................                   $  14,206

Add
 Wachovia goodwill and other intangible assets ..........................                       1,506
 Estimated purchase accounting adjustments
   Premises and equipment--adjustment to fair value .....................         75
   Payment for surrender of First Union option ..........................        375
   Other (Includes estimated transaction and contract termination costs)         175              625
                                                                                 ---
 Deferred income taxes
   Estimated deposit base intangible ....................................      2,000
    Income tax rate .....................................................       0.35              700
                                                                               -----
 Other tax liabilities ..................................................                         150

Deduct
 Wachovia stockholders' equity ..........................................                      (6,865)
 Estimated deposit base intangible
   Wachovia deposits ....................................................     45,617
   Premium rate .........................................................     0.0438           (2,000)
                                                                              -------       ---------
    Goodwill ............................................................                   $   8,322
                                                                                            =========


     (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 .........    $   (375)
 Other transaction costs .............................         (85)
 Cash--assumed deposit divestiture ...................      (1,500)
                                                          --------
   Total Cash Adjustments ............................                     (1,960)


                                       IV-6





(IN MILLIONS)                                                                                    MARCH 31, 2001
-------------                                                                                   ---------------
                                                                                          
Allowance for loan losses--adjustment .........................................                        (450)
Premises and equipment--adjustment to fair value ..............................                         (75)
Goodwill and other intangible assets--adjustment
 Goodwill (Note 3) ............................................................       8,322
 Wachovia goodwill and other intangible assets ................................      (1,506)
 Deposit base intangible ......................................................       2,000
                                                                                     ------
 Goodwill and other intangible assets adjustment, net .........................                       8,816
                                                                                                      -----
   Total Assets ...............................................................                    $  6,331
                                                                                                   ========
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
 Other ........................................................................                          90
 Other tax liabilities ........................................................                         150
 Deferred income taxes ........................................................                         700
 Allowance for loan loss adjustment ...........................................        (450)
 Income tax rate ..............................................................        0.35            (158)
                                                                                     -------       --------
   Total other liabilities adjustment .........................................                         782
                                                                                                   --------
   Total liabilities adjustment ...............................................                        (718)
                                                                                                   --------
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
 Purchase price ...............................................................                      14,206
 Wachovia retained earnings ...................................................                       4,596
 Wachovia accumulated other comprehensive income ..............................                          75
 Wachovia stockholders' equity ................................................                      (6,865)
 Common stock adjustment ......................................................                         825
                                                                                                   --------
                                                                                                     12,837
                                                                                                   --------
Retained earnings adjustment
 Allowance for loan losses adjustment, net of income tax benefit ..............                        (292)
 Elimination of Wachovia retained earnings ....................................                      (4,596)
                                                                                                   --------
   Retained earnings adjustment ...............................................                      (4,888)
                                                                                                   --------
Elimination of Wachovia accumulated other comprehensive income ................                         (75)
                                                                                                   --------
   Stockholders' equity adjustment ............................................                       7,049
                                                                                                   --------
   Total ......................................................................                    $  6,331
                                                                                                   ========




                                       IV-7


     (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 ..........................            83              333
                                                         ------           ------
   Total noninterest expense adjustment .........           220              833
                                                         ------           ------
Reduction in income before taxes ................          (220)            (833)
                                                         ------           ------
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 .............................        $ (172)          $ (658)
                                                         =======          =======


     (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 .....................................       $    408         $  1,468
                                                       ========         ========
Basic earnings per share .......................       $   0.79         $   2.84
Diluted earnings per share .....................           0.78             2.81
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.


                                       IV-8


     (9) In addition to the purchase accounting adjustments described above, we
expect 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.


                                       IV-9













                                    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





P R O X Y


            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
                          TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 3, 2001

The undersigned shareholder of Wachovia Corporation ("Wachovia") hereby appoints
[ ] and [ ] 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, at
[ ], at [ ] a.m., local time, 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. IF NO
DIRECTION IS INDICATED FOR ITEM 4, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO WACHOVIA'S BYLAWS.


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

                 (CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE.)





------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      TO VOTE BY MAIL, PLEASE DETACH HERE.

                            YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
                               PLEASE VOTE TODAY
                 SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR THREE EASY WAYS TO VOTE.



          IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE IN VOTING YOUR
                    SHARES, PLEASE CALL OUR PROXY SOLICITOR,



                           INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED
                             TOLL-FREE AT 877-9501





[X]  PLEASE MARK YOUR
     VOTE AS IN THIS
     EXAMPLE

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

SUNTRUST RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE AGAINST ITEM 1 BELOW AND FOR ITEM 4 BELOW

                                                         AGAINST   FOR   ABSTAIN
                                                          [ ]      [ ]     [ ]
1.   APPROVAL OF THE PLAN OF MERGER CONTAINED IN THE
     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, DATED APRIL 15, 2001,
     BETWEEN WACHOVIA CORPORATION, A NORTH CAROLINA
     CORPORATION AND FIRST UNION CORPORATION, A NORTH
     CAROLINA CORPORATION

                                             FOR ALL
                                            NOMINEES        WITHHOLD
                                             LISTED        AUTHORITY
                                              BELOW         FOR ALL
                                           (EXCEPT AS       NOMINEES
                                           INDICATED)*    LISTED BELOW  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, STRIKE THROUGH THAT INDIVIDUAL'S NAME

                                                          FOR   AGAINST  ABSTAIN
                                                          [ ]     [ ]      [ ]

3.   RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS
     WACHOVIA CORPORATION'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE
     YEAR 2001


                                                          FOR   AGAINST  ABSTAIN
                                                          [ ]     [ ]      [ ]

4.   APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I, FOR
     AGAINST ABSTAIN SECTION 1.4 OF THE BYLAWS OF WACHOVIA
     CORPORATION

5.   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).

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


-----------------------------------------------------------------
                    O TO VOTE BY MAIL, PLEASE DETACH HERE. O

                            YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
 Please take a moment now to vote your shares as recommended by SunTrust at the
        upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Wachovia Corporation.

                    YOU CAN VOTE TODAY IN ONE OF THREE WAYS:








1.  VOTE BY TELEPHONE - You will be asked to enter the Control Number below.
    Then, if you wish to vote as recommended by SunTrust, simply press 1. If you
    do not wish to vote as SunTrust recommends, you need only respond to a few
    simple prompts. Your vote will be confirmed and cast as you directed.
    (Telephone voting is available for residents of the U.S. and Canada only.)


CALL TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-849-8135
ON A TOUCH-TONE TELEPHONE.                              YOUR CONTROL NUMBER IS:

                                       OR

2.   VOTE BY INTERNET - Access http://www.proxyvotenow.com/wb1 and respond to a
     few simple prompts after entering the Control Number above.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU MAY VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.
YOUR TELEPHONE OR INTERNET VOTE AUTHORIZES THE NAMED PROXIES IN THE SAME MANNER
AS IF YOU HAD EXECUTED A PROXY CARD.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       OR

3.   VOTE BY MAIL - If you prefer, you may sign, date and return the proxy card
     in the envelope provided to: SunTrust Banks, Inc., c/o Innisfree M&A
     Incorporated, P.O. Box 5156, New York, NY 10150-5156.