BB&T named a top training organization in the nation

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the fourth year in a row, BB&T Corporation has been named to Training magazine's "Training Top 100" list in its March 2006 issue. The list is a national survey of organizations that excel at workforce training and development.

Up 15 spots from last year, BB&T is ranked No. 19 out of the Top 100 companies, which are compiled from a broader group of organizations evaluated, and is first among the nation's Top 20 financial institutions. BB&T was recognized for its commitment to employee development and also received special recognition for outstanding training initiatives.

"BB&T management and employees are dedicated to lifelong learning, and we know that commitment is a key competitive advantage for us," says Will Sutton, senior vice president and manager of BB&T University. "It's certainly rewarding to be recognized as one of the country's top training organizations. However, the real reward is watching our employees take advantage of internal opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills and use that learning to provide exceptional service to our clients."

BB&T University, which is based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the corporation's headquarter city, oversees the organization's comprehensive training initiatives. The division has 125 employees dedicated to creating and implementing development activities at 28 sites across the bank's footprint.

"Our commitment to training goes beyond just increasing our employees' knowledge base," says Tim Davis, executive vice president and manager of BB&T's Human Systems division. "We are supporting the overall mission and goals of BB&T. We do everything with a purpose and a strategic plan, and we require measurable results."

BB&T University manages both computer-based and classroom training for a wide variety of topics, including retail and business credit, branch operations, sales and service, office technology, and leadership and personal development. Additionally, University personnel manage the organization's Leadership Development Program which trains two classes of future leaders for the company each year.

In early 2005, the Mortgage Bankers Association recognized BB&T for having the best mortgage training program in the industry.

In 2005, BB&T University offered more than 2,700 classes in about 150 different internal training courses and seminars, resulting in more than 71,000 days of employee training and development. Companies named to the Training Top 100 list invested more than $5 billion in training in 2005.

In addition to BB&T University, Davis says that the BB&T utilizes FARR Associates for teambuilding activities and advanced leadership classes. BB&T acquired FARR Associates, a High Point, N.C-based leadership consulting firm, in 1994 after a long business partnership.

Minneapolis-based Training magazine is a national professional development periodical that advocates training and workforce development as a business tool. For the complete ranking and report, see the March issue of Training, or visit http://www.trainingmag.com/.

BB&T Corporation and its subsidiaries offer full-service commercial and retail banking and additional financial services such as insurance, investments, retail brokerage, corporate finance, treasury services, international banking, leasing and trust.

BB&T Corp., with $109.2 billion in assets, operates more than 1,400 financial centers in the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Indiana and Washington, D.C. Visit BBT.com for more information.