BB&T CAPITAL TRUST I

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2003

Registration No. 333 - _____

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

BB&T CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


North Carolina	56-0939887
(State or other jurisdiction	(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

BB&T CAPITAL TRUST I
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware	56-6585028
(State or other jurisdiction	(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
(336) 733-2000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Jerone C. Herring
Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
BB&T Corporation
200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
(336) 733-2000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)

Copy to:

Garza Baldwin, III
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
One Wachovia Center, Suite 3300
301 South College Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-6025
(704) 331-4907

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:
From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are to be offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: | |

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividends or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: |X|

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: | | _________

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier registration statement for the same offering: | | _________

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box: |X|

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Securities To Be Registered(1)	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (2)(3)	Amount of Registration Fee
Debt securities
Preferred stock
Common stock, including attached preferred share purchase rights (4)
Stock purchase contracts
Stock purchase units
Depositary shares
Warrants
Units
Trust preferred securities and related guarantees

Total	$2,000,000,000	$161,800

(1)

We are registering for issuance and sale an indeterminate amount of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, warrants representing rights to purchase debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and units consisting of any combination of these securities issued by BB&T Corporation, trust preferred securities issued by BB&T Capital Trust I and guarantees by BB&T Corporation of those trust preferred securities. Any one or more of the foregoing securities may be issued upon conversion, redemption, exercise or exchange of or for another of the foregoing securities of BB&T Corporation or trust preferred securities of BB&T Capital Trust I. In addition, we are registering an indeterminate number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares issuable by BB&T Corporation upon settlement of stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units issued by BB&T Corporation. This registration statement also registers, where required, an indeterminate amount of securities to be sold by our affiliates in market-making transactions. Certain information as to each class of securities to be registered is not specified, as permitted by General Instruction II.D. to Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933.

(2)

The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely to calculate the registration fee under Rule 457(o). In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant to this registration statement exceed $2,000,000,000 or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies, foreign currency units or composite currencies. If debt securities are issued at original issue discount, we may issue such higher principal amount as may be sold for an initial public offering price of up to $2,000,000,000 (less the dollar amount of any securities previously issued under this registration statement), or the equivalent of $2,000,000,000 in one or more foreign currencies, foreign currency units, or composite currencies. The aggregate amount of common stock registered under this registration statement is further limited to that which is permissible under Rule 415(a)(4). The securities registered under this registration statement may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered under this registration statement.

(3)

No separate cash consideration will be received for any securities of BB&T Corporation issuable upon conversion or exchange of other securities of BB&T Corporation or trust preferred securities of BB&T Capital Trust I.

(4)

Each share of common stock includes a right to purchase shares of Series B Junior Preferred Participating Preferred Stock, referred to as the “rights.” Prior to the occurrence of certain events, none of which have occurred as of the date hereof, the rights will not be exercisable or evidenced separately from the common stock.

The registrants hereby amend this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrants file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This registration statement contains two forms of prospectuses to be used in connection with offerings of the following securities:

debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, including attached preferred share purchase rights, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, depositary shares, warrants and units of BB&T Corporation; and

preferred securities of BB&T Capital Trust I, junior subordinated debt securities of BB&T Corporation and guarantees by BB&T Corporation of the preferred securities of BB&T Capital Trust I.

Each offering of securities made under this registration statement will be made pursuant to one of these two prospectuses, with the specific terms of the securities offered thereby set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, Dated May 9, 2003

Prospectus

BB&T CORPORATION
Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Stock Purchase Contracts
Stock Purchase Units
Warrants
Units

BB&T Corporation may offer and sell:

unsecured debt securities consisting of senior notes and debentures and subordinated notes and debentures, and other unsecured evidences of indebtedness in one or more series, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or debt securities,

shares of common stock,

shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or debt securities, including depositary shares representing fractional interests in preferred stock,

stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units,

warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, and

units consisting of any combination of the above securities.

The aggregate initial offering price of the securities that we offer will not exceed $2,000,000,000. We will offer the securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of our offering.

We will provide the specific terms of the securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the prospectus supplements carefully before you invest in the securities. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

A security is not a deposit and the securities are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

The offered securities may be offered and sold directly by us or through one or more underwriters or agents. Supplements to this prospectus will set forth the terms of sale of the offered securities and the identity of any underwriter or agent. Any underwriter, dealer or agent participating in any offering of the offered securities may be deemed an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BBT.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is ________________ __, 2003.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

We may provide information to you about the securities we are offering in three separate documents that progressively provide more detail:

this prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may not apply to your securities;

an accompanying prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of the securities, some of which may not apply to your securities; and

if necessary, a pricing supplement, which describes the specific terms of your securities.

If the terms of your securities vary between the pricing supplement, the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in the following order of priority:

the pricing supplement, if any;

the prospectus supplement; and

the prospectus.

Unless indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, neither we nor the underwriters have taken any action that would permit us to publicly sell these securities in any jurisdiction outside the United States. If you are an investor outside the United States, you should inform yourself about and comply with any restrictions as to the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


About This Prospectus	4	Description Of Depositary Shares	19
Where You Can Find More Information	4	Description Of Common Stock	22
Incorporation Of Certain Documents By Reference	4	Description Of Warrants	24
Forward-Looking Statements	5	Description Of Stock Purchase Contracts And
BB&T Corporation	6	Stock Purchase Units	26
Use Of Proceeds	7	Global Securities	26
Consolidated Ratios Of Earnings To Fixed Charges	8	Plan Of Distribution	30
Regulatory Considerations	8	Validity Of Securities	32
Description Of The Debt Securities	8	Experts	32
Description Of Preferred Stock	19

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $2,000,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering and the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “BB&T,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references mean BB&T Corporation.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

The registration statement that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 to register the offer and sale of securities offered by this prospectus includes exhibits, schedules and additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.

We file annual, quarterly and periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may inspect and obtain copies of these documents without charge at the principal office of the SEC located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov. You can also inspect reports and other information we file at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents that are considered part of this prospectus. Information filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and supersede this information. The following documents filed with the SEC are incorporated by reference:

(1)

annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002;

(2)

current report on Form 8-K filed January 13, 2003; and

(3)

descriptions of BB&T’s common stock and preferred stock purchase rights set forth in registration statements on Form 8-A filed September 4, 1991 and January 10, 1997, respectively, and in any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such descriptions.

Future documents that we file with the SEC, such as annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and proxy statements, are incorporated by reference in this prospectus until we complete the offering of the securities.

We will provide each person to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, without charge, a copy of any of the documents referred to above as being incorporated by reference. You may request a copy by writing or telephoning Investor Relations, 150 South Stratford Road, Suite 400, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104 (336-733-3058).

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, the representations contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this prospectus does not extend to you. The information contained in this prospectus speaks only as of the date of this prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including information included or incorporated by reference, contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, including, statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to many factors, including

competitive pressure among depositary and other financial institutions may increase significantly;

changes in the interest rate environment may reduce net interest margins and/or the volumes or values of loans made or held as well as the value of other financial assets held;

general economic or business conditions, either nationally or regionally, may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality or a reduced demand for credit or other services;

legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, may adversely affect the businesses in which we are engaged;

deposit attrition, customer loss or revenue loss following pending or recently completed mergers may be greater than expected;

costs or difficulties related to the integration of our businesses with those of our merger partners may be greater than expected;

expected cost savings associated with recent or pending mergers may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frame;

competitors may have greater financial resources and develop products that enable such competitors to compete more successfully than BB&T; and

adverse changes may occur in the securities markets.

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BB&T CORPORATION

General

We are a financial holding company headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We conduct our business operations primarily through our banking subsidiaries, which have offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, Indiana and the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. Substantially all of our loans are to businesses and individuals in these market areas. Our principal commercial bank subsidiaries are Branch Banking and Trust Company (“Branch Bank”), Branch Banking and Trust Company of South Carolina (“Branch Bank-SC”) and Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia (“Branch Bank-VA”), excluding bank subsidiaries of recently acquired bank holding companies that are expected to be merged into one of our subsidiaries. Our principal assets are all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Branch Bank, Branch Bank-SC and Branch Bank-VA.

Operating Subsidiaries

Branch Bank, our largest subsidiary, is the oldest bank in North Carolina and currently operates banking offices in the following geographic markets:

	Offices	Cities	Counties
North Carolina	335	195	73
Georgia	114	75	51
Kentucky	104	39	25
West Virginia	87	52	26
Maryland	79	48	10
Tennessee	37	28	8
Florida	18	17	14
District of Columbia	7	1	--
Alabama	2	2	1
Indiana	1	1	1

Branch Bank provides a wide range of banking and trust services in its local market for retail and commercial customers, including small and mid-size businesses, public agencies and local governments and individuals. Operating subsidiaries of Branch Bank include:

BB&T Insurance Services, Inc., which offers life, employee benefits, surety, property and casualty, title and other insurance products on an agency basis;

Prime Rate Premium Finance Corporation, Inc., which provides insurance premium financing primarily to customers in our principal market area;

BB&T Leasing Corporation, which offers lease financing to commercial businesses and municipal governments;

BB&T Investment Services, Inc., which offers customers nondeposit investment alternatives, including discount brokerage services, fixed-rate and variable-rate annuities, mutual funds, and government and municipal bonds;

Laureate Capital, LLC, which specializes in arranging and servicing commercial mortgage loans;

Lendmark Financial Services, Inc., which offers alternative consumer and mortgage loans to clients unable to meet BB&T’s normal consumer and mortgage loan guidelines; and

CRC Insurance Services, Inc., which was the fourth largest wholesale insurance broker in the country at December 31, 2002.

Branch Bank-SC serves South Carolina through 95 banking offices and provides a wide range of banking and trust services in its local market for retail and commercial customers, including small and mid-size businesses, public agencies, local governments and individuals. Branch Bank-VA offers a full range of commercial and retail banking services through 234 banking offices.

We also have a number of other subsidiaries, including:

Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. is an investment banking and full-service brokerage firm that provides services in retail brokerage, equity and debt underwriting, investment advice, corporate finance and equity research and facilitates the origination, trading and distribution of fixed-income securities and equity products in both the public and private capital markets. It also has a public finance department that provides investment banking, financial advisory services and debt underwriting services to a variety of regional tax-exempt issuers;

Regional Acceptance Corporation specializes in indirect financing for consumer purchases of mid-model and late-model used automobiles;

BB&T Factors Corporation buys and manages account receivables primarily in the textile and home furnishings-related industries;

Stanley, Hunt, Dupree & Rhine, Inc. offers group medical plans, insurance and investment consulting and actuarial services;

Sheffield Financial Corp. specializes in loans to small commercial lawn care businesses across the country; and

BB&T Bankcard Corporation is a special purpose credit card bank.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement relating to a specific issue of securities. Our general corporate purposes may include repurchasing shares of our common stock, acquisitions of other companies, extending credit to, or funding investments in, our subsidiaries and such other purposes indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement. The precise amounts and timing of our use of the net proceeds will depend upon our, and our subsidiaries’, funding requirements and the availability of other funds. Until we use the net proceeds from the sale of any of our securities for general corporate purposes, we will use the net proceeds to reduce our short-term indebtedness or for temporary investments. We expect that we will, on a recurrent basis, engage in additional financings as the need arises to finance our growth, through acquisitions or otherwise, or to fund our subsidiaries.

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CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges were as follows for the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2002:

	Year Ended December 31,

	2002		2001		2000		1999		1998
Earnings to fixed charges:
Including interest on deposits	2.05	x	1.56	x	1.39	x	1.56	x	1.55	x
Excluding interest on deposits	3.52		2.56		2.12		2.69		2.86

For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings represent income from continuing operations before extraordinary items and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles plus income taxes and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest). Fixed charges excluding interest on deposits represent interest (other than on deposits, but including capitalized interest), one-third (the proportion representative of the interest factor) of rents and all amortization of debt issuance costs. Fixed charges, including interest on deposits, represent all interest (including interest on deposits and capitalized interest), one-third (the proportion representative of the interest factor) of rents and all amortization of debt issuance costs.

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REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

The Federal Reserve Board regulates, supervises and examines BB&T, which is a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act. For a discussion of the material elements of the regulatory framework applicable to financial holding companies and their subsidiaries and specific information relevant to BB&T, please refer to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 and any subsequent reports we file with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This regulatory framework is intended primarily for the protection of account holders. As a result of this regulatory framework, our earnings are affected by actions of the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which insures the deposits of our banking subsidiaries within certain limits and regulates our banking subsidiaries, and the SEC, which regulates the activities of certain subsidiaries engaged in the securities business. In addition, our banking subsidiaries are subject to regulation by state banking authorities.

Depositary institutions, like BB&T’s bank subsidiaries, are also affected by various federal laws, including those relating to consumer protection and similar matters. BB&T also has other financial services subsidiaries that are regulated, supervised and examined by the Federal Reserve Board and other state and federal regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations. BB&T’s insurance subsidiaries are regulated, supervised and examined by various state insurance authorities.

Changes to federal laws and regulations and to the laws and regulations in the states where we and our subsidiaries do business can affect the operating environment of financial holding companies and their subsidiaries in substantial and unpredictable ways. We cannot accurately predict whether legislation will ultimately be enacted, and, if enacted, the ultimate effect that it, or implementing regulations, would have upon our or our subsidiaries’ financial condition or results of operations.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

The debt securities will constitute either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture with State Street Bank and Trust Company, as senior trustee. The subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture, with State Street Bank and Trust Company, as subordinated trustee. We collectively refer to the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture as the “indentures” and the senior trustee and the subordinated trustee as the “trustee.”

In the event of the resignation or removal of the trustee prior to the issuance of a particular series of debt securities, the trustee for such series of debt securities will be identified in the prospectus supplement for such series, and all references to “trustee” shall be deemed to mean the trustee so identified. No trustee shall be responsible for the acts, obligations, liabilities or responsibilities of any other trustee. The following summaries of certain provisions of the indentures may not be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indentures. Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the indentures are referred to, we intend that such sections or definitions shall be incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this prospectus or in the applicable prospectus supplement have the meanings given such terms in the indentures.

The following sets forth certain terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement or pricing supplement may relate. When we offer any debt securities -- which we refer to as “Offered Securities” -- we will describe in that prospectus supplement or pricing supplement the particular terms of the Offered Securities and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the Offered Securities.

Debt Securities Generally

The indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under them and provide that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will not be obligations of a bank insured by the FDIC or any other government agency. Neither the indentures nor the debt securities will limit or otherwise restrict the amount of other indebtedness that we may incur or other securities that we or any of our subsidiaries may issue.

We refer you to the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement relating to each particular series of Offered Securities for definitions of the following terms of those Offered Securities:

the title;

any limit on the aggregate principal amount;

whether the Offered Securities are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

the price or prices, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Securities, at which the Offered Securities will be issued;

the date or dates on which the Offered Securities will mature;

the rate or rates, which may be fixed or floating, per year at which the Offered Securities will bear interest, if any, or the method of determining the interest rates;

the date from which interest, if any, on the Offered Securities will accrue, the dates on which interest, if any, will be payable, the date on which payment of interest, if any, will commence and the regular record dates for such interest payment dates, if any;

the extent to which any of the Offered Securities will be issuable in the form of one or more temporary or permanent global securities, and if so, the identity of the depositary for the global securities, or the manner in which any interest payable on temporary or permanent global securities will be paid;

the dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which, we will, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund provisions, or may, pursuant to any optional sinking fund or any purchase fund provisions, redeem the Offered Securities, and the other detailed terms and provisions of such sinking and/or purchase funds;

the date, if any, after which, and the price or prices at which, we may, pursuant to an optional redemption provision, redeem the Offered Securities or the holder of the Offered Securities may require us to redeem them, and the other detailed terms and provisions of such optional redemption;

the denomination or denominations in which the Offered Securities are authorized to be issued;

whether the Offered Securities will be issued as registered securities, bearer securities, or both and any limitations on the issuance of such bearer securities, including exchange for registered securities of the same series;

information with respect to book-entry procedures;

each office or agency where, subject to the terms of the applicable indenture, the Offered Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange; and

any other terms of the Offered Securities, which will not be inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable indenture.

We may issue debt securities as original issue discount securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. If we do, we will describe special federal income tax and other considerations relating to the original discount securities in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement.

We may issue debt securities as registered securities, bearer securities or both. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, each series of debt securities will be registered securities. Debt securities issued as bearer securities will have interest coupons attached, unless issued as zero coupon securities. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, we will issue registered securities only in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof and bearer securities only in denominations of $5,000 or integral multiples thereof.

We will not offer, sell or deliver bearer securities in connection with their original issuance in the United States or to any United States person other than to offices located outside the United States of certain United States financial institutions. “United States person” means any citizen or resident of the United States, any corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source. “United States” means the United States of America, including the States and the District of Columbia, and its possessions. Purchasers of bearer securities will be subject to certification procedures and may be affected by certain limitations under United States tax laws. Those procedures and limitations will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of the bearer securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement will include a description of the requirements for certification of ownership by non-United States persons that will apply prior to the issuance of bearer securities or the payment of interest that occurs prior to the issuance of bearer securities.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, registered securities of any series, other than a global security, except as set forth below, will be exchangeable into an equal aggregate principal amount of registered securities of the same series, tenor and terms of different authorized denominations and bearer securities may be exchanged for registered securities on the terms set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Registered securities will not be exchangeable for bearer securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, debt securities may be presented for exchange, and registered securities (other than a global security) may be presented for registration of transfer, at the offices of the appropriate trustee. We also may designate in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement the corporate trust department of Branch Bank as an office where the transfer of the registered securities may be registered.

No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require payment sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Payment and Paying Agent

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, payment of principal of and any premium and interest on registered securities will be made at the office of the appropriate trustee, except that at our option interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears on the security register (Section 3.02 of the senior indenture; Section 4.02 of the subordinated indenture). We also may designate in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement the corporate trust department of Branch Bank, as an office where principal and any premium and interest on registered securities may be paid. Paying agents will be named in the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement and may be terminated at any time.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal of and any premium and interest on bearer securities will be made, subject to applicable laws and regulations, at such paying agencies outside the United States as we may designate from time to time. Any such payment may be made, at the option of the holder, by check or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on bearer securities will be made only against surrender of the coupon relating to the relevant interest payment date. No payment with respect to any bearer security will be made at any office or agency in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States.

Restriction on Sale or Issuance of Voting Stock of Principal Constituent Banks

Except as described below under “Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Conveyance and Lease,” each indenture prohibits our sale or other disposition of shares of or securities convertible into, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of voting stock of a Principal Constituent Bank or a Principal Constituent Bank’s issuance of its own shares of or securities convertible into, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase its own shares of voting stock if, in each case, after giving effect to such transaction the Principal Constituent Bank would cease to be a Controlled Subsidiary. In addition, each indenture prohibits the merger or consolidation of a Principal Constituent Bank with any other corporation unless we are or a Controlled Subsidiary is the surviving corporation, and the lease, sale or transfer of all or substantially all the assets of a Principal Constituent Bank to any corporation or person, except to us or a Controlled Subsidiary or a person that, upon such lease, sale or transfer, will become our successor company or a Controlled Subsidiary. The indentures, however, do not prohibit any such sale, assignment, transfer or disposition of securities, any such merger or consolidation or any such lease, sale or transfer of properties and assets if required by law or as a condition imposed by law to the acquisition by us or any Controlled Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of any person if, thereafter:

such person would be a Controlled Subsidiary;

our Consolidated Net Banking Assets would not be decreased; and

Branch Bank would still be a Controlled Subsidiary (Section 3.06 of the senior indenture; Section 4.06 of the subordinated indenture).

“Controlled Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of which more than 80% of the aggregate voting power of the outstanding shares of the voting stock is at the time owned directly or indirectly by us or by one or more of our Controlled Subsidiaries , after giving effect to the issuance to any person other than us or any Controlled Subsidiary of voting stock of the subsidiary issuable on exercise of options, warrants or rights to subscribe for such voting stock or on conversion of securities convertible into such voting stock.

“Principal Constituent Bank” means Branch Bank and, at any time, any other bank subsidiary the total assets of which, as set forth in the most recent statement of condition of such bank subsidiary, equal more than 30% of the total assets of all bank subsidiaries as determined from the most recent statements of condition of the bank subsidiaries.

Limitation on Creation of Liens

Each indenture provides that we will not create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any pledge, encumbrance or lien, as security for indebtedness for borrowed money, upon any shares of, or securities convertible into, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, voting stock of a Principal Constituent Bank, if, treating the pledge, encumbrance or lien as a transfer to the secured party, the Principal Constituent Bank would not be a Controlled Subsidiary (Section 3.07 of the senior indenture; Section 4.07 of the subordinated indenture).

Neither indenture restricts us from incurring, assuming or becoming liable for any type of debt nor from creating, assuming, incurring or permitting to exist any mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, lien or charge on our property (except the voting stock of a Principal Constituent Bank). In addition, neither indenture requires us to maintain any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity and or any other provisions that would provide protection to holders of the debt securities due to a sudden or dramatic decline in the credit quality of the debt securities caused by a change in control, recapitalization or other capital restructuring.

Modification of the Indentures; Waiver of Covenants

Each indenture contains provisions permitting us and the trustee to modify the indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected thereby, except that, without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby, no such modification may, among other things:

change the stated maturity date of the principal of or any premium, or any installment of interest on, any outstanding security;

reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any outstanding security;

reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

change the place of payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any outstanding security;

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any outstanding security;

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding securities of any series the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults and their consequences; or

in the case of the subordinated indenture, make any change in the subordination provisions that adversely affects the rights of any holder of subordinated debt securities.

Prior to any acceleration of the debt securities of any series, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may waive any past default or event of default under the applicable indenture, except a default under a covenant that cannot be modified without the consent of each holder of a debt security of the series affected thereby (Section 4.07(b) of the senior indenture; Section 5.07(b) of the subordinated indenture). In addition, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind a declaration of acceleration of the debt securities of any series before any judgment has been obtained if:

we pay the trustee certain amounts due the trustee plus all matured installments of principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of such series, other than installments due by acceleration, and interest on the overdue installments to the extent provided in the applicable indenture, and

all other defaults with respect to the debt securities of that series under the applicable indenture have been cured or waived (Section 4.01 of the senior indenture; Section 5.01 of the subordinated indenture).

Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Conveyance and Lease

Each indenture provides that we may not consolidate with or merge into another corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person unless:

the successor is organized under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the applicable indenture;

after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing; and

certain other conditions are met (Section 9.01 of the senior indenture; Section 10.01 of the subordinated indenture).

In that event, the successor will be substituted for us and, except in the case of a lease, we will be relieved of our obligations under the applicable indenture and the debt securities of each series (Section 9.02 of the senior indenture; Section 10.02 of the subordinated indenture).

The Trustee

We will have no material relationship with the trustee other than as trustee. Any Principal Constituent Bank may transact business with the trustee in the ordinary course.

The indentures, under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, are deemed to contain certain limitations on the right of the trustee, as our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in transactions with us, provided that those transactions do not result in a material relationship between the trustee and us. The occurrence of a default under either indenture with respect to subordinated debt securities or senior debt securities could create a conflicting interest for the trustee under the Trust Indenture Act. If the default has not been cured or waived within 90 days after the trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest, the trustee generally is required by the Trust Indenture Act to eliminate such conflicting interest or resign as trustee with respect to the senior debt securities or the subordinated debt securities. In the event of the trustee’s resignation, we promptly will appoint a successor trustee with respect to the affected securities.

Senior Debt Securities

The senior debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally and ratably with all our outstanding unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

Events of Default

The senior indenture defines an event of default with respect to any particular series of senior debt securities as being any one of the following events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified for the senior debt securities of such series:

default for 30 days in the payment of any interest upon any of the senior debt securities of that series;

default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any of the senior debt securities of that series when due;

default in the payment of any sinking fund installment or analogous obligation with respect to any of the senior debt securities of that series when due;

a default or event of default under any instrument under which there may be issued or borrowed, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any of our indebtedness, other than the senior debt securities of that series or indebtedness to a subsidiary, or any indebtedness of any subsidiary, other than indebtedness of any subsidiary to us or to another subsidiary, shall happen and not less than $1,000,000 of such indebtedness shall be past due, or become due by acceleration, and such indebtedness or acceleration is not discharged or rescinded within 15 days after notice by the senior trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in such series in the case of a series of senior debt securities issued as original issue discount securities;

default in the observance or performance of any other covenant or agreement in the senior debt securities of such series or the senior indenture for 90 days after notice by the senior trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of the series calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in such series in the case of a series of senior debt securities issued at an original issue discount; or

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us or a Principal Constituent Bank (Section 4.01).

If an event of default with respect to the senior debt securities of any series shall occur and be continuing, the senior trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount (in the case of a series of senior debt securities issued at an original issue discount, calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in such series) of all the outstanding senior debt securities of that series may declare the principal (or in the case of a series of senior debt securities issued at an original issue discount, the amount calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in such series of senior debt securities) of all the securities of that series to be immediately due and payable (Section 4.01). The senior indenture provides that the senior trustee, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to senior debt securities of any series under the senior indenture, shall mail to the holders of the senior debt securities of that series notice of all uncured defaults known to it that have not been waived. The term “defaults” includes events specified above that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default. Except in the case of default in the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any of the senior debt securities of that series or in the making of any sinking fund payment or analogous obligation with respect to the senior debt securities of that series, however, the senior trustee may withhold such notice if it in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interest of the holders of the securities of that series (Section 4.08).

Subject to the provisions of the senior indenture relating to the duties of the senior trustee in case an event of default shall occur and be continuing, the senior trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it under the senior indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the holders of the senior debt securities, unless such holders offer to the senior trustee reasonable security or indemnity (Section 5.02(d)). Subject to certain limitations contained in the senior indenture, including among other limitations that the senior trustee will not be exposed to personal liability, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of all series affected, voting as one class, have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the senior trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the senior trustee (Section 4.07).

No holder of any senior debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the senior indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless:

such holder previously shall have given to the senior trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to senior debt securities of that series,

the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount (in the case of a series of senior debt securities issued at an original issue discount, calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in such series) of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series shall have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the senior trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and

the senior trustee shall not have received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days (Section 4.04).

The holder of any senior debt security, however, will have an absolute right to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and interest, if any, on such senior debt security on or after the due dates expressed in such senior debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment (Section 4.04).

We are obligated to furnish annually to the senior trustee a statement as to our performance of our obligations under the senior indenture and as to any default in such obligations (Section 3.04).

Defeasance

We may terminate certain of our obligations under the senior indenture with respect to the senior debt securities of any series on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the senior indenture, by:

depositing irrevocably with the senior trustee as trust funds in trust:

U.S. dollars or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below) in an amount which through the payment of interest, principal and premium, if any, in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, without any reinvestment of such interest, principal or premium, not later than one business day before the due date of any payment, money, or

a combination of money and U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the senior debt securities of such series as such are due, and

satisfying certain other conditions precedent specified in the senior indenture.

Such deposit and termination are conditioned among other things upon our delivery of an opinion of independent counsel that the holders of the senior debt securities of such series will have no federal income tax consequences as a result of such deposit and termination. Such termination will not relieve us of our obligation to pay when due the principal of and premium and interest on the senior debt securities of such series if the senior debt securities of such series are not paid from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the senior trustee for payment thereof (Section 13.05).

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit are pledged or obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

Subordinated Debt Securities

The subordinated debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally and ratably with all our outstanding subordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will have a minimum weighted maturity of at least five years.

Subordination

Our obligation to make any payment of principal, premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities, to the extent set forth in the subordinated indenture, will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all existing and future senior indebtedness, as that term is defined in the subordinated indenture. Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the holders of senior indebtedness are entitled to receive payment in full of principal and any premium and interest before the holders of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment on account of the principal of and any premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities. In a reorganization or readjustment, however, holders of the subordinated debt securities may receive our securities or securities of any other corporation that are subordinated to both senior indebtedness and any securities received in the reorganization or readjustment by holders of senior indebtedness, except to the extent that any securities so received are by their terms expressly not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities (Section 3.03). Our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization following a conveyance, transfer or lease of our properties and assets substantially as an entirety in compliance with the terms described above under “Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Conveyance and Lease” will not be deemed to be a dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization for this purpose (Section 3.03(d)). In addition, we may not pay principal of, or any premium or interest on, the subordinated debt securities and may not acquire any subordinated debt securities for cash or property other than our capital stock if a default on senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing that permits holders of such senior indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and such default is the subject of judicial proceedings or we receive written notice of such default from a representative of all holders of the senior indebtedness. If we receive any such notice, a similar notice received within 360 days thereafter relating to the same default on the same issue of senior indebtedness shall not be effective for such purpose. We may resume payments on the subordinated debt securities and may acquire them when that default is cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, or the senior indebtedness to which such default relates shall have been paid in full in cash or cash equivalents or if that default is not the subject of judicial proceedings, 120 days pass after we receive such written notice (Section 3.02(b)).

By reason of this subordination, in the event of our insolvency, holders of senior indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and holders of the subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than other of our creditors. However, this subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default (Section 3.12).

The subordinated indenture does not restrict the incurrence of additional senior indebtedness.

“Senior indebtedness” means the principal of, and premium, if any, on:

all of our obligations for money borrowed, whenever created, except:

such indebtedness as is by its terms expressly stated to be junior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities, and

such indebtedness as is by its terms expressly stated to rank equal or “pari passu” in right of payment with the subordinated debt securities, and

any deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such senior indebtedness.

Limited Rights of Acceleration

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement relating to any series of subordinated debt securities, payment of principal of the subordinated debt securities may be accelerated only in the case of an “Acceleration Event” which is defined in the indenture as any of the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events with respect to us that constitute an event of default. There is no right of acceleration in the case of a default in the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities or our performance of any other covenant in the subordinated indenture.

Conversion or Exchange

If and to the extent mentioned in the relevant prospectus supplement, any subordinated debt securities series may be convertible or exchangeable into other debt securities or common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares. The specific terms on which any subordinated debt securities series may be so converted or exchanged will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. These terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the holder's option or at our option, in which case the amount or number of securities the subordinated debt securities holders would receive would be calculated at the time and in the manner described in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Events of Default

The subordinated indenture defines an event of default with respect to any particular series of subordinated debt securities as being any one of the following events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified for the subordinated debt securities of that series:

default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on any of the subordinated debt securities of that series;

default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any of the subordinated debt securities of that series when due;

default in the payment of any sinking fund installment or analogous obligation with respect to that series when due;

a default or event of default under any instrument under which there may be issued or borrowed, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any of our indebtedness, other than the subordinated debt securities of that series or indebtedness to a subsidiary, or any indebtedness of any subsidiary, other than indebtedness of any subsidiary owing to us or to another subsidiary, shall happen and not less than $1,000,000 of such indebtedness shall be past due, or become due by acceleration, and such indebtedness or acceleration is not discharged or rescinded within 15 days after notice by the subordinated trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount (in the case of a series of subordinated debt securities issued at an original issue discount, calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in such series) of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series;

final judgment(s) or order(s) for the payment of money in excess of $1,000,000 is entered against us or one or more Principal Constituent Banks and within 90 days of entry is not discharged, or the execution thereof is not stayed pending appeal, or within 90 days after the expiration of the stay, the judgment(s) or order(s) is not discharged; · default in the observance or performance of any other covenant or agreement in the subordinated debt securities of such series or the subordinated indenture for 90 days after notice by the subordinated trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount (in the case of a series of subordinated debt securities issued at an original issue discount, calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in such series) of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of the series; or

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us or a Principal Constituent Bank (Section 5.01).

Rights of acceleration in case an event of default occurs are limited. See “Limited Rights of Acceleration.”

In case an Acceleration Event shall have occurred and be continuing, the subordinated trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount (in the case of a series of subordinated debt securities issued at an original issue discount, calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in such series) of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series may declare the principal (or, in the case of a series of subordinated debt securities issued at an original issue discount, the amount calculated in accordance with the formulas set forth in such series of subordinated debt securities) of all the securities of such series to be immediately due and payable (Section 5.01). The subordinated indenture provides that the subordinated trustee, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to subordinated debt securities of any series under the subordinated indenture, shall mail to the holders of the subordinated debt securities of that series notice of all uncured defaults known to it that have not been waived. The term “defaults” includes events specified above which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default. Except in the case of default in the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any of the subordinated debt securities of that series or in the making of any sinking fund payment or analogous obligation with respect to the subordinated debt securities of that series, however, the subordinated trustee may withhold such notice if it in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interest of the holders of the subordinated debt securities of that series (Section 5.08).

Subject to the provisions of the subordinated indenture relating to the duties of the subordinated trustee in case an event of default shall occur and be continuing, the subordinated trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it under the subordinated indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the holders of the subordinated debt securities, unless such holder offers to the subordinated trustee reasonable security or indemnity (Section 6.02(d)). Subject to certain limitations contained in the subordinated indenture, including among other limitations that the subordinated trustee will not be exposed to personal liability, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of all series affected, voting as one class, have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the subordinated trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the subordinated trustee (Section 5.07).

No holder of any subordinated debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the subordinated indenture or for any remedy thereunder unless:

such holder previously shall have given to the subordinated trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to subordinated debt securities of that series, and

the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount (in the case of a series of subordinated debt securities issued at an original issue discount, calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in such series) of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series shall have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the subordinated trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and

the subordinated trustee shall not have received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days (Section 5.04).

The holder of any subordinated debt security will have an absolute right, however, to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on such subordinated debt security on or after the due dates expressed in such subordinated debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment (Section 5.04).

We are obligated to furnish to the subordinated trustee annually a statement as to our performance of our obligations under the subordinated indenture and as to any default in such obligations (Section 4.04).

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

Our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and our board has the authority to fix the voting, conversion, exchange, redemption, liquidation and other rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and limitations of the preferred stock, all without any further vote or action by our shareholders. Of the 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock that we are authorized to issue, we have reserved for issuance 2,000,000 shares, and have designated such shares as our Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in connection with our shareholder rights plan described below under “Description of Common Stock.” No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding. The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of common stock, and adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of such holders. We will describe the particular terms of any series of preferred stock in the applicable prospectus supplement. When issued, shares of preferred stock will be fully paid and nonassessable.

The issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase such shares, could be used to discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. For instance, the issuance of a series of preferred stock might impede a business combination by including class voting rights that would enable the holders to block such a transaction. We could also issue shares of preferred stock to facilitate a business combination proposed by us in opposition to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. In addition, under certain circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of the common stock. Although the board of directors is required to make any determination to issue such stock based on its judgment as to the best interests of our shareholders, the board could act in a manner that would discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some or even a majority of the shareholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which shareholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then market price of such stock. The board of directors does not at present intend to seek shareholder approval prior to any issuance of currently authorized stock, unless otherwise required by law or the rules of any market on which our securities are traded.

Under Federal Reserve Board regulations, if the holders of any series of preferred stock become entitled to vote for the election of directors because dividends on that series are in arrears, that series may then be deemed a “class of voting securities,” and a holder of 25% or more of that series (or a holder of 5% or more if it otherwise exercises a “controlling influence” over us) may then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company. In addition, in that event

any bank holding company may be required to obtain Federal Reserve Board approval, and any foreign bank, and any company that controls a foreign bank, that has certain types of U.S. banking operations may be required to obtain Federal Reserve Board approval under the International Banking Act of 1978, to acquire 5% or more of any series of preferred stock, and

any person other than a bank holding company may be required to obtain Federal Reserve Board approval under the Change in Bank Control Act to acquire 10% or more of that series of preferred stock.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The description set forth below and in any prospectus supplement of certain provisions of the deposit agreement and of the depositary shares and depositary receipts does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipts relating to each series of preferred stock which have been or will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such series of preferred stock.

General

At our option, we may elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, rather than shares of preferred stock. If we exercise this option, we will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent fractional interests of a particular series of preferred stock, which will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock.

The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares will set forth the name and address of the depositary. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of depositary shares will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interests in shares of preferred stock underlying such depositary shares, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying such depositary shares including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional interests in shares of the related series of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering described in the related prospectus supplement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to such preferred stock in proportion to the numbers of such depositary shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date. The depositary shall distribute only the amount, however, that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled thereto, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution. If this happens, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net sale proceeds to the holders.

The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights offered by us to holders of the preferred stock shall be made available to the holders of depositary shares.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If a series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of such series of the preferred stock held by the depositary. The depositary shall mail notice of redemption not less than 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the record holders of the depositary shares to be so redeemed at their respective addresses appearing in the depositary’s books. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to that series of the preferred stock. Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares relating to shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If less than all of the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as may be determined by the depositary.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the money, securities or other property payable upon such redemption and any money, securities or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon such redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock underlying such holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all action that the depositary may deem necessary to enable the depositary to do so.

Amendment and Termination of Depositary Agreement

We may enter into an agreement with the depositary at any time to amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement. However, the holders of a majority of the depositary shares must approve any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the existing holders of depositary shares. A deposit agreement may be terminated by us or by the depositary only if all outstanding depositary shares relating thereto have been redeemed or there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock of the relevant series in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of the related depositary shares.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Miscellaneous

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us which are delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.

Neither the depositary nor BB&T will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of BB&T and the depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of their duties thereunder and they will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. They may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary shares or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

We are authorized to issue 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share. As of April 30, 2003, there were 471,289,163 shares of common stock outstanding.

Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. There are no cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors. Accordingly, the holder or holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock will be able to elect our entire board of directors. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights to acquire additional shares and are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds. The common stock is not entitled to any sinking fund, redemption or conversion provisions. If BB&T liquidates, dissolves or winds up its business, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in our net assets remaining after the payment of all creditors, if any, and the liquidation preferences of any preferred shareholders. When issued, the shares of common stock will be fully paid and nonassessable. The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BBT.” The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Branch Bank.

Shareholder Rights Plan

On December 17, 1996, the board of directors adopted a shareholder rights plan pursuant to which stock purchase rights were distributed as a dividend to our common shareholders at a rate of one right for each share of common stock held of record as of January 17, 1997 and for each share of stock issued thereafter. Each right entitles the holder to purchase from BB&T 1/100th of a share of BB&T Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock (which is substantially equivalent to one share of our common stock) at a price of $145.00, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, or, under certain circumstances, other securities or property.

The rights plan is designed to enhance the board’s ability to prevent an acquiror from depriving shareholders of the long-term value of their investment and to protect shareholders against attempts to acquire BB&T by means of unfair or abusive takeover tactics that have been prevalent in many unsolicited takeover attempts.

Under the rights plan, the rights will become exercisable only if a person or a group acquires or commences a tender offer for 20% or more of our outstanding common stock or our board declares any person to be an “adverse person.” Our board will declare a person to be an adverse person upon its determinations

that the person, alone or together with its affiliates and associates, has or will become the beneficial owner of 10% or more of our common stock and

that the beneficial ownership by the person (a) is intended or is reasonably likely to cause us to repurchase the common stock beneficially owned by the person or otherwise provide the person with short-term financial gain contrary to our best long-term interests, (b) is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our business or prospects or (c) otherwise is not in the best interests of BB&T and our shareholders, employees, customers and communities in which we and our subsidiaries do business.

Until they become exercisable, the rights attach to and trade with the common stock. The rights will expire December 31, 2006. The rights may be redeemed by the board at $0.01 per right until 10 days after a person or group has accumulated 20% or more of the common stock or, if earlier, the effective date of the board’s declaration that a person has become an adverse person. All rights held or acquired by a person or group holding 20% or more of our shares or by an adverse person are void.

If a person or group acquired 25% or more of our common stock or the board declared a person to be an adverse person, the rights would then be modified to represent the right to receive, for the exercise price, common stock having a value worth twice the exercise price.

If we were acquired in a merger or other business combination at any time after a person or group has acquired 20% or more of our common stock, the rights would be modified so as to entitle a holder to buy a number of shares of common stock of the acquiring entity having a market value of twice the exercise price of each right.

Other Provisions

Our articles and bylaws contain various provisions which may discourage or delay attempts to gain control of BB&T. Our articles include provisions

classifying the board of directors into three classes, each class to serve for three years, with one class elected annually;

authorizing the board of directors to fix the size of the board between three and 30 directors;

authorizing directors to fill vacancies on the board occurring between annual shareholder meetings;

providing that directors may be removed only for cause and only by majority vote of shares entitled to vote;

authorizing only the board of directors, BB&T’s chief executive officer, president or secretary to call a special meeting of shareholders; and

requiring a vote by the holders of two-thirds of the common stock to alter certain of the above provisions.

Our bylaws include specific conditions under which business may be transacted at annual shareholders’ meetings, and persons may be nominated for election as directors at annual shareholders’ meetings.

Under the Bank Holding Company Act, any “company” would be required to obtain Federal Reserve Board approval before acquiring 25% or more of the outstanding common stock of BB&T. If the acquiror is a bank holding company, this approval is required before acquiring 5% of the outstanding stock. Obtaining “control” over BB&T would also require Federal Reserve Board prior approval. “Control” generally means

the ownership or control of 25% or more of a bank holding company voting securities class,

the ability to elect a majority of the bank holding company’s directors, or

the ability otherwise to exercise a controlling influence over the bank holding company’s management and policies.

Certain provisions of the North Carolina banking statute apply to the acquisition of voting stock resulting in the change of control of a bank or bank holding company if the acquisition is not otherwise subject to approval under the federal Bank Holding Company Act or does not involve acquisition of voting stock of a bank holding company whose principal banking subsidiary is a national bank. The North Carolina statutes provide that the acquisition may not be consummated without prior approval of the Commissioner of Banks, upon application filed 60 days before the effective date. For these purposes, acquisition of control is presumed upon acquisition of 10 percent or more of the outstanding voting stock of the bank or bank holding company.

In addition, the federal Change in Bank Control Act prohibits a person or group of persons (not constituting a “company” under the Bank Holding Company Act) from acquiring “control” of a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve Board has been given 60 days’ prior written notice of the proposed acquisition, and within that time period, the Federal Reserve Board has not issued a notice disapproving the proposed acquisition or extending for up to another 30 days the period during which such a disapproval may be issued, or unless the acquisition otherwise requires Federal Reserve Board approval. An acquisition may be made before expiration of the disapproval period if the Federal Reserve Board issues written notice that it intends not to disapprove the action. It is generally assumed that the acquisition of more than 10% of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with publicly held securities, such as BB&T, would constitute the acquisition of control.

The North Carolina Control Share Acquisition Act applies to BB&T. This Act is designed to protect shareholders of publicly owned North Carolina corporations based in the state against certain changes in control and to provide shareholders with the opportunity to vote on whether to afford voting rights to certain shareholders. The Act is triggered upon the acquisition by a person of shares of voting stock of a covered corporation that, when added to all other shares beneficially owned by the person, would result in that person holding one-fifth, one-third or a majority of the voting power in the election of directors. Under the Act, shares that are the subject of an acquisition causing a person to cross any of these thresholds have no voting rights until they are conferred by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding voting shares, excluding those shares held by any person involved or proposing to be involved in the acquisition of shares in excess of the thresholds, any officer of the corporation and any employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation. If voting rights are conferred on the acquired shares, all shareholders of the corporation have the right to require that their shares be redeemed at the highest price paid per share by the acquiror for any of the acquired shares.

In addition, in certain instances the ability of our board to issue authorized but unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock may have an anti-takeover effect.

Existence of the above provisions could result in our being less attractive to a potential acquiror, or result in our shareholders receiving less for their shares of common stock than otherwise might be available if there were a takeover attempt.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants including warrants to purchase debt securities, warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, and warrants to purchase equity securities issued by an unaffiliated corporation or other entity and held by us. We may issue warrants independently of or together with any other securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrant of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Debt Warrants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any debt warrants, including the following:

the title of the debt warrants;

the offering price for the debt warrants, if any;

the aggregate number of the debt warrants;

the designation and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants;

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the debt warrants are issued and the number of debt warrants issued with each of these securities;

if applicable, the date after which the debt warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;

the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of a debt warrant and the purchase price;

the dates on which the right to exercise the debt warrants begins and expires;

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the debt warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

information with respect to any book-entry procedures;

the currency, currencies or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

if applicable, a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations;

any antidilution provisions of the debt warrants;

any redemption or call provisions applicable to the debt warrants; and

any additional terms of the debt warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the debt warrants.

Stock and Other Warrants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any stock warrants or other warrants to purchase equity securities issued by an unaffiliated corporation or other entity and held by us, including the following:

the title of the stock warrants or other warrants;

the offering price of the stock warrants or other warrants, if any;

the aggregate number of the stock warrants or other warrants;

the designation and terms of the common stock, preferred stock or equity securities issued by an unaffiliated corporation or other entity and held by us that is purchasable upon exercise of the stock warrants or other warrants;

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the stock warrants or other warrants are issued and the number of such stock warrants or other warrants issued with each such security;

if applicable, the date after which the stock warrants or other warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;

the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or equity securities issued by an unaffiliated corporation or other entity and held by us purchasable upon exercise of a stock warrant or other warrant and the purchase price;

the dates on which the right to exercise the stock warrants or other warrants begins and expires;

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the stock warrants or other warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

the currency, currencies or currency units in which the offering price, if, any, and the exercise price are payable;

if applicable, a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations;

any antidilution provisions of the stock warrants or other warrants;

any redemption or call provisions applicable to the stock warrants or other warrants; and

any additional terms of the stock warrants or other warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the stock warrants or other warrants.

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares and the number of shares of each may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units, often known as stock purchase units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and beneficial interests in:

debt securities,

debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, or

trust preferred securities issued by trusts, all of whose common securities are owned by us or by one of our subsidiaries,

securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under those contracts in a specified manner.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units, including, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements.

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GLOBAL SECURITIES

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

We have obtained the information in this section concerning DTC, Clearstream, Euroclear and the book-entry system and procedures from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

Unless otherwise mentioned in the relevant prospectus supplement, we anticipate that securities other than common stock will be issued in the form of one or more global certificates, or “global securities,” registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee. Unless otherwise mentioned in the relevant prospectus supplement, the depositary will be The Depository Trust Company, commonly referred to as DTC, and global securities will be registered, at the request of DTC, in the name of Cede & Co. Beneficial interests in the global securities will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as participants in DTC. Unless otherwise mentioned in the relevant prospectus supplement, investors may elect to hold their interests in the global securities through either DTC (in the United States) or (in Europe) through Clearstream Banking S.A., or “Clearstream,” formerly Cedelbank, or through Euroclear Bank S.A.IN.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, or “Euroclear.” Investors may hold their interests in the securities directly if they are participants in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in these systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold these interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC. Unless otherwise mentioned in the relevant prospectus supplement, Citibank, N.A. will act as depositary for Clearstream and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. will act as depositary for Euroclear. We refer to Citibank and J.P. Morgan Chase in these capacities as the “U.S. Depositaries.” Beneficial interests in the global securities will be held in authorized denominations of such securities. Except as set forth below, the global securities may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.

Securities represented by a global security can be exchanged for definitive securities in registered form only if:

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after receiving that notice;

at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after becoming aware that DTC has ceased to be registered as a clearing agency;

we in our sole discretion determine that that global security will be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form and notify the trustee of our decision; or

an event of default with respect to the securities represented by that global security has occurred and is continuing.

A global security that can be exchanged as described in the preceding sentence will be exchanged for definitive securities issued in authorized denominations of such securities in registered form for the same aggregate amount. The definitive securities will be registered in the names of the owners of the beneficial interests in the global security as directed by DTC.

If applicable, we will make payments with respect to all securities represented by a global security to the paying agent which in turn will make payment to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the securities represented by global securities. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any paying agent will have no responsibility or liability for:

any aspect of DTC’s records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a note represented by a global security;

any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between those participants and the owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through those participants; or

the maintenance, supervision or review of any of DTC’s records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

DTC has advised us that its current practice is to credit participants’ accounts on each payment date with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security as shown on DTC’s records, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information. The underwriter will initially designate the accounts to be credited. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for customer accounts registered in “street name,” and will be the sole responsibility of those participants.

DTC

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and holder of the securities represented by that global security for all purposes of the securities. Owners of beneficial interests in the securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a DTC participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of securities. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request holders to take any action, or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to take any action which a holder is entitled to take, then DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to take that action and those participants would authorize the beneficial owners owning through such participants to take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

Beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and transfers of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants for that global security. The conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to its participants and by its participants to owners of beneficial interests in the securities will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York banking law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

DTC holds the securities of its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. The electronic book-entry system eliminates the need for physical certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriter, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which, and/or their representatives, own DTC. Banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and others that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly, also have access to DTC’s book-entry system. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

DTC has advised us that the above information with respect to DTC has been provided to its participants and other members of the financial community for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind.

Clearstream

Clearstream has advised us that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a bank. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations, or “Clearstream Participants,” and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interacts with domestic securities markets in over 30 countries through established depository and custodial relationships. As a bank, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include the underwriter. Clearstream’s U.S. Participants are limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either directly or indirectly.

Distributions with respect to securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Clearstream.

Euroclear

Euroclear has advised us that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear, or “Euroclear Participants,” and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear performs various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interacts with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., or the “Euroclear Operator,” under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems plc, a Belgian corporation. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not Euroclear Clearance Systems. Euroclear Clearance Systems establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks, including central banks, securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriter. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

The Euroclear Operator is a Belgian bank. As such it is regulated by the Belgian Banking Commission.

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Terms and Conditions.” The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.

Distributions with respect to securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Euroclear.

Euroclear has further advised us that investors that acquire, hold and transfer interests in the securities by book-entry through accounts with the Euroclear Operator or any other securities intermediary are subject to the laws and contractual provisions governing their relationship with their intermediary, as well as the laws and contractual provisions governing the relationship between such an intermediary and each other intermediary, if any, standing between themselves and the global securities.

The Euroclear Operator has advised us that under Belgian law, investors which are credited with securities on the records of the Euroclear Operator have a co-proprietary right in the fungible pool of interests in securities on deposit with the Euroclear Operator in an amount equal to the amount of interests in securities credited to their accounts. In the event of the insolvency of the Euroclear Operator, Euroclear Participants would have a right under Belgian law to the return of the amount and type of interests in securities credited to their accounts with the Euroclear Operator. If the Euroclear Operator did not have a sufficient amount of interests in securities on deposit of a particular type to cover the claims of all Euroclear Participants credited with such interests in securities on the Euroclear Operator’s records, all Euroclear Participants having an amount of interests in securities of such type credited to their accounts with the Euroclear Operator would then have the right under Belgian law only to the return of their pro rata share of the amount of interests in securities actually on deposit.

Under Belgian law, the Euroclear Operator is required to pass on the benefits of ownership in any interests in securities on deposit with it (such as dividends, voting rights and other entitlements) to any person credited with such interest in securities on its records.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

Initial settlement for the securities will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. Depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. Depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. Depositaries.

Because of time-zone differences, credits of securities received through Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear Participants or Clearstream Participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of securities by or through a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of securities among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the paying agent will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective direct or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell securities to or through underwriters, including broker dealer affiliates of BB&T, to be designated at various times, and also may sell securities to dealers, directly to other purchasers or through agents. The distribution of securities may be effected at various times in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

The debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares and warrants will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. It has not presently been established whether the underwriters, if any, of these securities will make a market in these securities. If a market in these securities is made by those underwriters, this market making may be discontinued at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for these securities.

This prospectus and the related prospectus supplements may be used by our broker dealer affiliates for offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the securities. Such broker dealer affiliates may act as principal or agent in these transactions. These sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale or otherwise.

In facilitating the sale of securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and these dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of securities may be considered underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of securities by them may be considered underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified, and any such compensation received from us will be described, in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities.

Unless otherwise mentioned in the relevant prospectus supplement, the obligations of any underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and each of the underwriters with respect to a sale of securities will be obligated to purchase all of its securities if any are purchased. Unless otherwise mentioned in the relevant prospectus supplement, any such agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

In connection with an offering of securities, underwriters may purchase and sell these securities in the open market. These transactions may include over allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover short positions created by underwriters with respect to the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities; and short positions created by underwriters involve the sale by underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase from us in the offering. Underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, by which selling concessions allowed to broker dealers in respect of the securities sold in the offering may be reclaimed by underwriters if such securities are repurchased by underwriters in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market; and these activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Under agreements which we may enter into, underwriters, agents and their controlling persons who participate in the distribution of securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

If so noted in the prospectus supplement relating to any securities, we will authorize dealers or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase any securities from BB&T under contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which these contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. We must approve such institutions in all cases. The obligations of any purchaser under any of these contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of any securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.

The participation of BB&T broker dealer affiliates in the offer and sale of the securities must comply with the requirements of Rule 2720 of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. regarding underwriting securities of an “affiliate”. No NASD member participating in offers and sales will execute a transaction in the securities in a discretionary account without the prior specific written approval of such member's customer.

If we offer and sell securities directly to a purchaser or purchasers in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, purchasers involved in the reoffer or resale of such securities, if these purchasers may be considered underwriters as that term is defined in the Securities Act, will be named and the terms of their reoffers or resales will be mentioned in the relevant prospectus supplement. These purchasers may then reoffer and resell such securities to the public or otherwise at varying prices to be determined by such purchasers at the time of resale or as otherwise described in the relevant prospectus supplement. Purchasers of securities directly from us may be entitled under agreements that they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business or otherwise.

Underwriters or agents and their associates may be customers of (including borrowers from), engage in transactions with, and/or perform services for, us, the senior trustee and the subordinated trustee, in the ordinary course of business.

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VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

The validity of any offered securities will be passed upon for us by Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, Charlotte, North Carolina, and for any underwriters or agents by counsel selected by such underwriters or agents. Counsel to the underwriters may rely upon the opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC as to matters of North Carolina law, and Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC may rely upon the opinion of counsel to the underwriters as to matters of New York law. Members of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC own shares of our common stock.

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EXPERTS

Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2001 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2001, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent certified public accountants, as stated in their report incorporated by reference herein.

On March 20, 2002, we announced that we had appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to replace Arthur Andersen LLP as our independent accountants. After reasonable efforts, we have been unable to obtain Arthur Andersen’s updated written consent to the incorporation by reference into this registration statement of Arthur Andersen’s audit reports with respect to our financial statements. Under these circumstances, Rule 437a under the Securities Act permits us to omit Arthur Andersen’s updated written consent from this registration statement.

Section 11(a) of the Securities Act provides that if any part of a registration statement at the time it becomes effective contains an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, any person acquiring a security pursuant to such registration statement (unless it is proved that at the time of such acquisition such person knew of such untruth or omission) may sue, among others, every accountant who has consented to be named as having prepared or certified any part of the registration statement or as having prepared or certified any report or valuation which is used in connection with the registration statement with respect to the statement in such registration statement, report or valuation which purports to have been prepared or certified by the accountant.

Accordingly, Arthur Andersen may not be liable under Section 11(a) of the Securities Act because it has not consented to being named as an expert in the registration statement. We believe, however, that other persons who may be liable under Section 11(a) of the Securities Act, including our officers and directors, may still rely on Arthur Andersen’s audit reports as being made by an expert under the due diligence defense provision of Section 11(b) of the Securities Act.

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Subject to Completion, Dated May 9, 2003

Prospectus

BB&T CORPORATION

BB&T CAPITAL TRUST I

Trust Preferred Securities
Fully and Unconditionally
Guaranteed By BB&T Corporation

The Trust:

The trust is a Delaware statutory trust. The trust may from time to time:

sell trust preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the trust to the public;

sell common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the trust to BB&T Corporation;

use the proceeds from these sales to buy an equal principal amount of junior subordinated debentures of BB&T Corporation; and

distribute the cash payments it receives on the junior subordinated debentures it owns to the holders of the trust preferred and common securities.

Distributions:

For each trust preferred security that you own, you will receive cumulative cash distributions at a rate set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement on the liquidation amount of the preferred security. The liquidation amount per trust preferred security will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

BB&T Corporation:

BB&T Corporation will fully and unconditionally guarantee the payment by the trust of the trust preferred securities based on obligations discussed in this prospectus. This is called the trust preferred securities guarantee.

The aggregate initial offering price of the securities that we offer will not exceed $1,000,000,000. We will offer the securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of our offering.

A security is not a deposit and the securities are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

The date of this prospectus is ________________ __, 2003.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

We may provide information to you about the securities we are offering in three separate documents that progressively provide more detail:

this prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may not apply to your securities;

an accompanying prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of the securities, some of which may not apply to your securities; and

if necessary, a pricing supplement, which describes the specific terms of your securities.

the pricing supplement, if any;

the prospectus supplement; and

the prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


About This Prospectus	3	Description Of Junior Subordinated Debentures	8
Where You Can Find More Information	3	Description Of Trust Preferred Securities	19
Incorporation Of Certain Documents By Reference	3	Common Securities	31
Forward-Looking Statements	4	Description Of Guarantees	31
BB&T Corporation	5	Relationship Among Trust Preferred Securities, Corresponding
The Trust	6	Junior Subordinated Debentures And Guarantees	33
Reason For Transaction	7	Global Securities	35
Use Of Proceeds	7	Plan Of Distribution	39
Consolidated Ratios Of Earnings To Fixed Charges	8	Validity Of Securities	40
Regulatory Considerations	8	Experts	41

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus provides you with a general description of some of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering and the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “BB&T,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references mean BB&T Corporation.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

The registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933 to register, among other securities, the offer and sale of securities offered by this prospectus includes exhibits, schedules and additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

(1)

annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002;

(2)

current report on Form 8-K filed January 13, 2003; and

(3)

No separate financial statements of the trust are included in this prospectus. BB&T and the trusts do not consider that such financial statements would be material to holders of trust preferred securities because the trust is a special purpose entity, has no operating history or independent operations and is not engaged in and does not propose to engage in any activity other than holding as trust assets the corresponding junior subordinated debentures of BB&T and issuing the trust securities. Furthermore, taken together, BB&T’s obligations under each series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the junior indenture pursuant to which the corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be issued, the related trust agreement, the related expense agreement and the related guarantee provide, in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payments of distributions and other amounts due on the related trust preferred securities of the trust. For a more detailed discussion see “The Trust”, “Description of Trust Preferred Securities”, “Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures” and “Description of Guarantees”. In addition, we do not expect that the trust will be filing reports with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Neither we nor the trust have authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, the representations contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this prospectus does not extend to you. The information contained in this prospectus speaks only as of the date of this prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.