Deriso Steps Down as Synovus Vice Chairman; Griffith to Lead FMS in th

    Business Editors

    COLUMBUS, GAa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2005--Synovus (NYSE: SNV), the Columbus, Georgia-based diversified financial services company, today announced that Walter M. "Sonny" Deriso, Jr., has resigned as Vice Chairman. He has had overall responsibility for the company's Financial Management Services (FMS) group which provides trust, investment, private banking and insurance products and services throughout the company's five state footprint. An executive search to fill this position has already begun. Synovus also announced that G. Sanders Griffith, III, Senior Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, has been named to lead the FMS group on an interim basis. Deriso joined Synovus in 1991 as President of Security Bank and Trust in Albany, Georgia, and he will continue to serve the bank as Chairman of the Board.
    In making this announcement, Deriso stated, "After 14 years with Synovus, I have decided that this is an opportune time to redirect my efforts toward my career goals and aspirations. Synovus has experienced tremendous growth and success over the last several years in a number of areas, and we have seen new leadership emerge at the highest levels of the company. With this in mind, I believe this is a good time for me to step out of my role as Vice Chairman of Synovus. I look forward to maintaining my relationship with Synovus as Chairman of the Board of Security Bank and Trust."
    Richard E. Anthony, President and Chief Operating Officer also added, "Synovus has declared that Financial Management Services will be our third pillar of strength in addition to our banking business and payment processing business. Today, our commitment to this goal is stronger than ever. In 2004, we added $1.8 billion dollars in assets under management and in 2005 we have our sights set on an additional $2 billion. We greatly appreciate Sonny's contribution to Synovus and Security Bank and Trust. While we are searching for the appropriate successor, I am pleased that Sanders Griffith has agreed to lead the FMS team. With his exceptional skills and strengths, he is the right person to manage FMS through this leadership change."
    Sanders Griffith practiced law for 11 years before joining Synovus in 1988 as Vice President and General Counsel. He was elected Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in 1992 and Senior Executive Vice President in 1995. He is responsible for the legal function for both Synovus and TSYS. He is also involved in governmental and regulatory affairs and strategic planning for the company. He is a graduate of LaGrange College and the University of Georgia School of Law.

    Synovus (NYSE: SNV) is a diversified financial services holding company with over $25 billion in assets based in Columbus, Georgia. Synovus provides integrated financial services including banking, financial management, insurance, mortgage and leasing services through 40 banks and other Synovus offices in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee; and electronic payment processing through an 81-percent stake in TSYS (NYSE: TSS), the world's largest third-party processor of international payments. Synovus has been named one of "The 100 Best Companies To Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine, and has been recognized in its Hall of Fame for consecutive appearances on the list since its inception in 1998. In 2004, Synovus was also named as one of "America's Most Admired Companies". See Synovus on the Web at www.synovus.com.

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CONTACT: Synovus, Columbus Media Relations Aimee E. Davis, 706-644-0528 or Investor Relations Patrick A. Reynolds, 706-649-4973

KEYWORD: GEORGIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: Synovus

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