-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 gmAjajpPn006scsEXhG2Eg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-009188.txt : 20040213
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-009188.hdr.sgml : 20040213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040213150449
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-009188
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040213

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000798941
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				561528994
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		239 FAYETTEVILLE STREET MALL
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9197557000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 27131
		STREET 2:		CTWO7
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27611-7131

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			IRREVOCABLE TRUST UNDER AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 28 1990
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001097950
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16715
		FILM NUMBER:		04598145

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GEORGE N BROADRICK TRUSTEE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 31727
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28231-1727
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd32974.xml
<DESCRIPTION>AUGUST 20, 2003 FORM 5
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>1</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000798941</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FCNCA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001097950</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>IRREVOCABLE TRUST UNDER AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 28 1990</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PO BOX 31727</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHARLOTTE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28231</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding></transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>294040</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1459</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>96.795</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>469900</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents transfer of shares between separate trusts at an assumed value per share.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David L. Ward, Jr., Trustee</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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