NEXITY BANK INTRODUCES FULL SERVICE INVESTMENT
BROKERAGE SERVICES THROUGH RELATIONSHIP
WITH LEGG MASON WOOD WALKER, INC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2001

Birmingham, Alabama - Customers of Nexity Bank, a true, no-bricks, no-mortar Internet bank, now have access to full-service investment brokerage services through Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc., the principal broker-dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. (NYSE: LM), a financial services holding company. The relationship is designed to expand and enhance the already wide range of banking products available to Nexity Bank customers, according to Greg Lee, Nexity chairman and CEO.

"Our number one overriding operating goal is to provide superior service to our customers," Lee said. "Adding this range of investment services and custom portfolio management through Legg Mason continues in that tradition of offering our customers one stop shopping for financial services."

In a program developed specifically for Nexity, Legg Mason will offer a variety of investment products including all publicly traded securities as well as municipal, corporate and government bonds, convertible bonds and options. The company will also offer a wide variety of equity and bond funds sponsored by Legg Mason and by independent fund organizations. Investment banking and other financial services will also be available.

"This relationship is an easy fit for our two companies," said Glenn Brandon, branch manager and senior vice president-investments for the Birmingham, Ala. branch of Legg Mason Wood Walker. "Our corporate cultures are similar - Nexity is not your typical brick and mortar bank and we are not typical of most brokerage services. We both believe in making sure that our customers' money is in the most appropriate vehicle for that particular person and their lifestyle."
Nexity customers can reach a Legg Mason representative through a link on the Nexity Web site or with the toll-free number 1-866-255-5871 that has been established exclusively for Nexity Bank customers.

Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated (member NYSE / SIPC) headquartered in Baltimore, MD, has approximately 1,400 Financial Advisors in over 140 offices, primarily in the eastern and southern U.S. Legg Mason, Inc. is a financial services holding company that provides asset management, securities brokerage, investment banking and related financial services through its wholly owned subsidiaries.

Nexity Bank has more than $330 million in assets and offers Federally Insured traditional banking services. Customers have access to their accounts via the internet or telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, plus on-line viewing of cancelled checks and on-line statements.

Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds and Other Securities are:
•Not FDIC Insured
•Not Bank Guaranteed
•May Lose Value

Securities products and services are offered through Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc. ("Legg Mason"), a registered broker-dealer and a member of the NYSE and SIPC. Legg Mason is not affiliated with Nexity Bank or any of its subsidiaries.