Edgar Filing: SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP

Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________________

FORM 10-Q

______________________________

Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

Commission file number 1-10312

______________________________

SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

______________________________



Georgia		58-1134883
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)



1111 Bay Avenue Suite 500, Columbus, Georgia		31901
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (706) 649-2311

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D	New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

______________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). YES x NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨

Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨

		Emerging growth company	¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ¨ NO x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s class of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.



Class				April 30, 2019
Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value				157,501,073

Table of Contents



			Page
Part I.	Financial Information
		Index of Defined Terms	i
	Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
		Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018	1
		Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018	2
		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018	3
		Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018	4
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018	5
		Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	6
	Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	39
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	63
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	63

Part II.	Other Information
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	64
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	64
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	64
	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	64
	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	64
	Item 5.	Other Information	64
	Item 6.	Exhibits	65
	Signatures		66

Table of Contents

SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

AICPA – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

ALCO – Synovus' Asset Liability Management Committee

ALL – Allowance for loan losses

AOCI – Accumulated other comprehensive income

Acquisition Date – Effective January 1, 2019, Synovus completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of FCB Financial Holdings, Inc.

ASC – Accounting Standards Codification

ASC 310-30 loans – Loans accounted for in accordance with ASC 310 – 30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality

ASU – Accounting Standards Update

ATM – Automatic teller machine

Azalea Merger Sub – Azalea Merger Sub Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus which was formed for the express and limited purpose of the Merger

Basel III – The third Basel Accord developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to strengthen existing regulatory capital requirements

BOLI – Bank-owned life insurance

BOV – Broker’s opinion of value

bp(s) – Basis point(s)

C&I – Commercial and industrial

CECL – Current expected credit losses

CET1 – Common Equity Tier 1 Capital defined by Basel III capital rules

CME – Chicago Mercantile Exchange

CMO – Collateralized Mortgage Obligation

Cabela’s Transaction – The transaction completed on September 25, 2017 whereby Synovus Bank acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of World's Foremost Bank ("WFB") and then immediately thereafter sold WFB’s credit card assets and certain related liabilities to Capital One Bank (USA), National Association. As a part of this transaction, Synovus Bank retained WFB’s $1.10 billion brokered time deposit portfolio and received a $75.0 million fee from Cabela’s Incorporated and Capital One. Throughout this Report, we refer to this transaction as the “Cabela’s Transaction” and the associated $75.0 million fee received from Cabela’s and Capital One as the “Cabela’s Transaction Fee”

Code – Internal Revenue Code

Company – Synovus Financial Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, except where the context requires otherwise

Covered Litigation – Certain Visa litigation for which Visa is indemnified by Visa USA members

CRE – Commercial real estate

DIF – Deposit Insurance Fund

Dodd-Frank Act – The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

EVE – Economic value of equity

Exchange Act – Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

FASB – Financial Accounting Standards Board

FCB – FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, except where the context requires otherwise

FDIC – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

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Federal Reserve Bank – The 12 banks that are the operating arms of the U.S. central bank. They implement the policies of the Federal Reserve Board and also conduct economic research

Federal Reserve Board – The 7-member Board of Governors that oversees the Federal Reserve System, establishes monetary policy (interest rates, credit, etc.), and monitors the economic health of the country. Its members are appointed by the President subject to Senate confirmation, and serve 14-year terms

Federal Reserve System – The 12 Federal Reserve Banks, with each one serving member banks in its own district. This system, supervised by the Federal Reserve Board, has broad regulatory powers over the money supply and the credit structure

Federal Tax Reform – Enactment of H.R. 1, formerly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, on December 22, 2017, legislation in which a number of changes were made under the Internal Revenue Code, including a reduction of the corporate income tax rate, significant limitations on the deductibility of interest, allowance of the expensing of capital expenditures, limitation on deductibility of FDIC insurance premiums, and limitation of the deductibility of certain performance-based compensation, among others

FFIEC – Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council

FFIEC Retail Credit Classification Policy – FFIEC Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy

FHLB – Federal Home Loan Bank

FICO – Fair Isaac Corporation

FTE – Fully taxable-equivalent

GA DBF – Georgia Department of Banking and Finance

GAAP – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America

GGL – Government guaranteed loans

Global One – Entaire Global Companies, Inc., the parent company of Global One Financial, Inc., as acquired by Synovus on October 1, 2016. Throughout this Report, we refer to this acquisition as "Global One"

GSE – Government sponsored enterprise

HELOC – Home equity line of credit

Interagency Supervisory Guidance – Interagency Supervisory Guidance on Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses Estimation Practices for Loans and Lines of Credit Secured by Junior Liens on 1-4 Family Residential Properties

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

LIHTC – Low Income Housing Tax Credit

LTV – Loan-to-collateral value ratio

Merger Agreement – Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Synovus, FCB and Azalea Merger Sub Corp. dated as of July 23, 2018

Merger – The January 1, 2019 merger of Azalea Merger Sub with and into FCB and immediately thereafter, the merger of FCB with and into Synovus, with Synovus continuing as the surviving entity pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement

MPS – Merchant processing servicer(s)

NAICS – North American Industry Classification System

nm – not meaningful

NPA – Non-performing assets

NPL – Non-performing loans

NSF – Non-sufficient funds

OCI – Other comprehensive income

ORE – Other real estate

OTC – Over-the-counter

OTTI – Other-than-temporary impairment

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Parent Company – Synovus Financial Corp.

ROU – Right-of-use

SBA – Small Business Administration

SEC – U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Securities Act – Securities Act of 1933, as amended

Series C Preferred Stock – Synovus' Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, $25 liquidation preference

Series D Preferred Stock – Synovus' Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D, $25 liquidation preference

Synovus – Synovus Financial Corp.

Synovus Bank – A Georgia state-chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus, through which Synovus conducts its banking operations

Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K – Synovus' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018

Synovus Mortgage – Synovus Mortgage Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus Bank

Synovus Securities – Synovus Securities, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus

Synovus Trust – Synovus Trust Company, N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus Bank

TDR – Troubled debt restructuring (as defined in ASC 310-40)

the Treasury – United States Department of the Treasury

UPB – Unpaid principal balance

VIE – Variable interest entity (as defined in ASC 810-10)

Visa – The Visa U.S.A., Inc. card association or its affiliates, collectively

Visa Class A shares – Class A shares of common stock issued by Visa are publicly traded shares which are not subject to restrictions on sale

Visa Class B shares – Class B shares of common stock issued by Visa which are subject to restrictions with respect to sale until all of the Covered Litigation has been settled. Class B shares will be convertible into Visa Class A shares using a then-current conversion ratio upon the lifting of restrictions with respect to sale of Visa Class B shares

Visa Derivative – A derivative contract with the purchaser of Visa Class B shares which provides for settlements between the purchaser and Synovus based upon a change in the ratio for conversion of Visa Class B shares into Visa Class A shares

Warrant – A warrant issued to the Treasury by Synovus to purchase up to 2,215,820 shares of Synovus common stock at a per share exercise price of $65.52 expiring on December 19, 2018, as was issued by Synovus to Treasury in 2008 in connection with the Capital Purchase Program, promulgated under the Emergency Stabilization Act of 2008

WFB – World's Foremost Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cabela's Incorporated

iii

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)



(in thousands, except share and per share data)	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	519,681		$	468,426
Interest-bearing funds with Federal Reserve Bank	688,470			641,476
Interest earning deposits with banks	24,147			19,841
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements	33,627			13,821
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	1,265,925			1,143,564
Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value	55,970			37,129
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value	6,808,191			3,991,632
Loans	35,634,501			25,946,573
Allowance for loan losses	(257,036		)	(250,555		)
Loans, net	35,377,465			25,696,018
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance	761,098			554,134
Premises and equipment, net	479,965			434,307
Goodwill	485,000			57,315
Other intangible assets	74,683			9,875
Other assets	1,321,728			745,218
Total assets	$	46,630,025		$	32,669,192
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing deposits	$	9,144,315		$	7,650,967
Interest-bearing deposits	28,930,875			19,069,355
Total deposits	38,075,190			26,720,322
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	314,383			237,692
Other short-term borrowings	853,000			650,000
Long-term debt	2,106,037			1,657,157
Other liabilities	683,662			270,419
Total liabilities	42,032,272			29,535,590
Shareholders' Equity
Series D Preferred Stock – no par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; 8,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018	195,140			195,140
Common stock - $1.00 par value. Authorized 342,857,143 shares; 165,929,349 issued at March 31, 2019 and 143,300,449 issued at December 31, 2018; 157,454,007 outstanding at March 31, 2019 and 115,865,510 outstanding at December 31, 2018	165,929			143,300
Additional paid-in capital	3,794,262			3,060,561
Treasury stock, at cost – 8,475,342 shares at March 31, 2019 and 27,434,939 shares at December 31, 2018	(319,898		)	(1,014,746		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(18,342		)	(94,420		)
Retained earnings	780,662			843,767
Total shareholders’ equity	4,597,753			3,133,602
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	46,630,025		$	32,669,192

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2019		2018
Interest income:
Loans, including fees	$	447,769	$	285,340
Investment securities available for sale	49,938		23,928
Mortgage loans held for sale	391		379
Federal Reserve Bank balances	3,671		1,750
Other earning assets	3,070		1,737
Total interest income	504,839		313,134
Interest expense:
Deposits	87,684		26,375
Federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings	3,463		1,601
Long-term debt	16,517		10,874
Total interest expense	107,664		38,850
Net interest income	397,175		274,284
Provision for loan losses	23,569		12,776
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	373,606		261,508
Non-interest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts	20,859		19,940
Fiduciary and asset management fees	13,578		13,435
Card fees	10,877		10,199
Brokerage revenue	9,406		8,695
Mortgage banking income	5,054		5,047
Income from bank-owned life insurance	5,290		4,217
Swap fee income	4,778		690
Investment securities gains, net	75		—
Other non-interest income	9,461		4,823
Total non-interest income	79,378		67,046
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and other personnel expense	139,427		113,720
Net occupancy and equipment expense	38,394		31,480
Third-party processing expense	17,758		13,945
FDIC insurance and other regulatory fees	6,761		6,793
Professional fees	6,348		5,505
Advertising expense	5,123		5,092
Amortization of intangibles	3,392		292
Merger-related expense	49,738		—
Other operating expenses	25,469		18,352
Total non-interest expense	292,410		195,179
Income before income taxes	160,574		133,375
Income tax expense	40,388		30,209
Net income	120,186		103,166
Less: Preferred stock dividends	3,150		2,559
Net income available to common shareholders	$	117,036	$	100,607
Net income per common share, basic	$	0.73	$	0.85
Net income per common share, diluted	0.72		0.84
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	160,927		118,666
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	162,760		119,321

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019									2018
(in thousands)	Before-tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount			Before-tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount
Net income	$	160,574		$	(40,388	)	$	120,186		$	133,375		$	(30,209	)	$	103,166
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale:
Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income	(75		)	19			(56		)	—			—			—
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	102,785			(26,621		)	76,164			(61,445		)	15,914			(45,531		)
Net unrealized gains (losses)	102,710			(26,602		)	76,108			(61,445		)	15,914			(45,531		)
Post-retirement unfunded health benefit:
Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income	(35		)	5			(30		)	(34		)	13			(21		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	102,675		$	(26,597	)	$	76,078		$	(61,479	)	$	15,927		$	(45,552	)
Comprehensive income							$	196,264								$	57,614

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(unaudited)



(in thousands, except per share data)	Series C Preferred Stock		Series D Preferred Stock		Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital			Treasury Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Retained Earnings			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	125,980	$	—	$	142,678	$	3,043,129		$	(839,674	)	$	(54,754	)	$	544,207		$	2,961,566
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2014-09	—		—		—		—			—			—			(685		)	(685		)
Reclassification from adoption of ASU 2018-02	—		—		—		—			—			(7,588		)	7,588			—
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2016-01	—		—		—		—			—			117			(117		)	—
Net income	—		—		—		—			—			—			103,166			103,166
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	—		—		—		—			—			(45,552		)	—			(45,552		)
Cash dividends declared on common stock - $0.25 per share	—		—		—		—			—			—			(29,675		)	(29,675		)
Cash dividends paid on Series C Preferred Stock - $0.49 per share	—		—		—		—			—			—			(2,559		)	(2,559		)
Repurchases of common stock	—		—		—		—			(26,733		)	—			—			(26,733		)
Restricted share unit vesting and taxes paid related to net share settlement	—		—		266		(8,494		)	—			—			—			(8,228		)
Stock options exercised	—		—		73		1,167			—			—			—			1,240
Share-based compensation expense	—		—		—		3,955			—			—			—			3,955
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	125,980	$	—	$	143,017	$	3,039,757		$	(866,407	)	$	(107,777	)	$	621,925		$	2,956,495

Balance at December 31, 2018	$	—	$	195,140	$	143,300	$	3,060,561		$	(1,014,746	)	$	(94,420	)	$	843,767		$	3,133,602
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2016-02	—		—		—		—			—			—			4,270			4,270
Net income	—		—		—		—			—			—			120,186			120,186
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	—		—		—		—			—			76,078			—			76,078
FCB Acquisition:
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	—		—		22,043		682,713			—			—			—			704,756
Common stock reissued	—		—		—		—			1,014,746			—			(137,176		)	877,570
Fair value of exchanged equity awards and warrants attributed to purchase price	—		—		—		43,362			—			—			—			43,362
Cash dividends declared on common stock - $0.30 per share	—		—		—		—			—			—			(47,235		)	(47,235		)
Cash dividends paid on Series D Preferred Stock - $0.39 per share	—		—		—		—			—			—			(3,150		)	(3,150		)
Repurchases of common stock including costs to repurchase	—		—		—		—			(320,167		)	—			—			(320,167		)
Restricted share unit vesting and taxes paid related to net share settlement	—		—		235		(8,647		)	—			—			—			(8,412		)
Stock options/warrants exercised, net	—		—		351		6,029			269			—			—			6,649
Share-based compensation expense	—		—		—		10,244			—			—			—			10,244
Balance at March 31, 2019	$	—	$	195,140	$	165,929	$	3,794,262		$	(319,898	)	$	(18,342	)	$	780,662		$	4,597,753

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2019 ⁽¹⁾			2018
Operating Activities
Net income	$	120,186		$	103,166
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses	23,569			12,776
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion, net	7,000			14,823
Deferred income tax expense	6,915			2,599
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale	(120,207		)	(128,618		)
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale	104,552			130,805
Gain on sales of mortgage loans held for sale, net	(3,534		)	(3,445		)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	21,634			(45,764		)
Decrease in other liabilities	(27,776		)	(8,466		)
Investment securities gains, net	(75		)	—
Share-based compensation expense	10,244			3,955
Net cash provided by operating activities	142,508			81,831

Investing Activities
Net cash received in business combination, net of cash paid	201,100			—
Proceeds from maturities and principal collections of investment securities available for sale	197,726			139,929
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale	1,188,239			—
Purchases of investment securities available for sale	(1,800,346		)	(211,085		)
Proceeds from sales of loans	13,654			10,885
Proceeds from sales of other real estate and other assets	6,273			2,090
Net increase in loans excluding loans acquired in business combination	(423,514		)	(109,180		)
Net (purchases) redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	(24,239		)	(6,375		)
Net redemptions (purchases) of Federal Reserve Bank stock	1,285			(20		)
Purchases of bank-owned life insurance policies, net of settlements	656			1,523
Net increase in premises and equipment	(9,209		)	(9,212		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(648,375		)	(181,445		)

Financing Activities
Net increase in deposits	434,677			105,502
Net increase in federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	47,552			24,341
Net change in other short-term borrowings	203,000			(100,000		)
Repayments and redemption of long-term debt	—			(2,030,030		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net	297,045			2,280,000
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(28,966		)	(17,835		)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(3,150		)	(2,559		)
Stock options and warrants exercised	6,649			1,240
Repurchase of common stock	(320,167		)	(26,733		)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards	(8,412		)	(8,228		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	628,228			225,698
Increase in cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash	122,361			126,084
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,143,564			932,933
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,265,925		$	1,059,017

Supplemental Disclosures:
Income taxes paid (refunded)	$	1,050		$	183
Interest paid	95,630			33,431
Non-cash Activities
Common stock issued, treasury stock reissued, equity awards/warrants exchanged to acquire FCB	1,625,688			—
Loans foreclosed and transferred to other real estate	1,419			3,407
Loans transferred to/(from) other loans held for sale at fair value	12,237			5,233
Subtopic 825-10 equity investment securities available for sale transferred to other assets	—			3,162
Dividends declared on common stock during the period but paid after period-end	47,235			29,675

⁽¹⁾Where applicable, changes for balances as of March 31, 2019, compared to December 31, 2018, exclude amounts acquired on the Acquisition Date.

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

General

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Synovus Financial Corp. include the accounts of the Parent Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Synovus Financial Corp. is a financial services company based in Columbus, Georgia. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Synovus Bank, a Georgia state-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, the company provides commercial and retail banking in addition to a full suite of specialized products and services including private banking, treasury management, wealth management, premium finance and international banking. Synovus Bank is positioned in markets in the Southeast, with 300 branches and 384 ATMs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to the SEC Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X; therefore, they do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. All adjustments consisting of normally recurring accruals that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the periods covered by this Report have been included. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K.

Reclassifications

Prior periods' consolidated financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to the current periods' presentation.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

In preparing the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the respective consolidated balance sheets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the periods presented. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses; estimates of fair value; income taxes; and contingent liabilities including legal matters, among others.

Purchased loans

Purchased loans are recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, consistent with the exit price concept on the date of acquisition. Credit risk assumptions and resulting credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value; therefore, no ALL is recorded at the acquisition date.

Pursuant to an AICPA letter dated December 18, 2009, the AICPA summarized the SEC staff's view regarding the accounting in subsequent periods for discount accretion associated with loan receivables acquired in a business combination or asset purchase. Regarding the accounting for such loan receivables, in the absence of further standard setting, the AICPA understands the SEC staff would not object to an accounting policy based on contractual cash flows (ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs) or an accounting policy based on expected cash flows (ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality). Synovus analogizes to ASC Topic 310-30 to account for the fair value discount.

Purchased loans are evaluated upon acquisition as following the ASC 310-30 approach or ASC 310-20. Loans meeting the scope exception of ASC 310-30 (e.g. loans with revolving components) are not permitted to be analogized and will be accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-20. For ASC 310-30 loans, expected cash flows at the acquisition date in excess of the fair value of loans are recorded as interest income over the life of the loans using a level yield method if the timing and amount of the future cash flows is reasonably estimable. Subsequent to the acquisition date, increases in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date are recognized prospectively as interest income. Decreases in expected cash flows due to credit deterioration are recognized by recording an ALL. Loan removals from pools due to pay-off or charge-off are removed at their carrying amount. The difference between the carrying amount and the amount received to satisfy the loan is recorded in interest income. For ASC 310-20 loans, the difference between the fair value and UPB of the loan at the acquisition date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the contractual life of the loans using the effective interest method. In the event of prepayment, the remaining unamortized amount is recognized in interest income in the quarter of prepayment.

Due to the significant difference in accounting for ASC 310-30 loans, Synovus believes inclusion of these loans in certain asset quality ratios that reflect non-performing assets in the numerator or denominator (or both) results in significant distortion to these ratios. In addition, because loan level charge-offs related to ASC 310-30 loans are not recognized in the financial statements until the cumulative amounts exceed the original loss projections on a pool basis, the net charge-off ratio is inconsistent with the

net charge-off ratio for other loan portfolios. The inclusion of ASC 310-30 loans in certain asset quality ratios could result in a lack of comparability across quarters or years, and could impact comparability with other portfolios that were not impacted by ASC 310-30 accounting. Synovus believes that presenting certain loan and asset quality disclosures separately for ASC 310-20 and ASC 310-30 loans, and/or excluding ASC 310-30 loans, where appropriate and indicated within each table, provides better perspective into underlying trends related to the quality of its loan portfolio.

Non-interest Income - Revenue from Contracts with Customers within the scope of ASC Topic 606

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts: Revenue from service charges on deposit accounts is earned through cash management, wire transfer, and other deposit-related services, as well as overdraft, non-sufficient funds, account management and other deposit-related fees. Revenue is recognized for these services either over time, corresponding with deposit accounts' monthly cycle, or at a point in time for transaction-related services and fees. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers' accounts.

Fiduciary and Asset Management Fees: Fiduciary and asset management fees are primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts and other customer assets. Synovus' performance obligation is generally satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly, based upon the month-end market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate. Payment is generally received a few days after month-end through a direct charge to customers' accounts. Synovus does not earn performance-based incentives.

Card Fees: Card fees consist primarily of interchange fees from consumer credit and debit cards processed by card association networks, as well as merchant discounts, and other card-related services. Interchange rates are generally set by the credit card associations and based on purchase volumes and other factors. Interchange fees and merchant discounts are recognized concurrently with the delivery of service on a daily basis as transactions occur. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month. Card fees are reported net of certain associated expense items including loyalty program expenses and network expenses.

Brokerage Revenue: Brokerage revenue consists primarily of commissions. Additionally, brokerage revenue includes advisory fees earned from the management of customer assets. Advisory fees for brokerage services are recognized and collected monthly and are based upon the month-end market value of the assets under management at a rate predetermined in the contract. Transactional revenues are based on the size and number of transactions executed at the client's direction and are generally recognized on the trade date with payment received on the settlement date.

Insurance Revenue (included in other non-interest income on the consolidated statements of income): Insurance revenue primarily consists of commissions received on annuity and life product sales. The commissions are recognized as revenue when the customer executes an insurance policy with the insurance carrier. In some cases, Synovus receives payment of trailing commissions each year when the customer pays its annual premium.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842). In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, its new standard on lease accounting. ASU 2016-02 introduces a lessee model that brings substantially all operating leases on the balance sheet through the recognition of a ROU asset and a lease liability, and requires the disclosure of additional qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements. The accounting model for financing leases from a lessee perspective, and for all leases from a lessor perspective remains largely unchanged from prior GAAP (ASC 840). Subsequent to the issuance of Topic 842, the FASB clarified the guidance through several ASUs; referred to hereinafter as “ASC 842”.

Synovus adopted ASC 842 prospectively as of January 1, 2019 for existing leasing arrangements. As such, financial information was not updated and the disclosures required under the new standard are not presented for dates and periods prior to January 1, 2019. Refer to the 2018 10-K for lease disclosures surrounding prior period information reported under ASC 840, Leases. For leases that commenced prior to the effective date of ASC 842, Synovus elected the package of practical expedients not to reassess (a) whether existing contracts contain leases, (b) lease classification for existing leases, and (c) initial direct cost for any existing leases as well as the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. Additionally, we did not elect the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components for all of our leases.

Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of ROU assets and lease liabilities of $387.3 million and $390.6 million, respectively, as of January 1, 2019. These amounts were based on the present value of the remaining rental payments for existing leases and include consideration for renewal and termination options available that we were reasonably certain of exercising. The adoption of the standard also resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment, net of income taxes, to the beginning balance of retained earnings of $4.3 million ($3.9 million of which consisted of deferred gains associated with sale-leaseback transactions that previously did not qualify for recognition). The ROU assets are included in other assets (other than $3.5 million of finance leases included in premises and equipment) on the consolidated balance sheet and the lease liabilities are included in other liabilities. Adoption of the standard did not materially impact our consolidated statements of income and had no impact on cash flows.

Synovus determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception in accordance with ASC 842-10-15-3 and classifies leases as either operating or financing from a lessee perspective and operating or direct financing and sales-type from a lessor perspective based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied under ASC 840, Leases, but without explicit bright lines.

ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. The determination of future minimum lease payments includes consideration for extension or termination options when it is reasonably certain Synovus will exercise that option as well as rent escalation clauses (including market or index-based escalations) and abatements, capital improvement funding or other lease concessions. As most leases in Synovus' portfolio do not provide an implicit rate, Synovus utilizes a collateralized incremental borrowing rate, referenced to the Federal Home Loan Bank rates for borrowings of similar terms, based on the information available at lease commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. Additionally, for all real estate leases, Synovus applies a portfolio approach (based on lease term) in the application of the discount rate. Determination of the ROU asset also includes prepaid lease payments and amounts recognized relating to favorable or unfavorable lease terms from leases acquired through business combinations.

For operating leases, minimum rental expense is recognized on a straight-line basis based on the fixed components of leasing arrangements. Variable lease components represent amounts that are not fixed in nature and are not tied to an index or rate, and are recognized as expense when incurred. For financing leases, rent expense is recognized as amortization expense on a straight-line basis and interest expense using the effective interest method. Additionally, leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; lease expense for these leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Net lease cost is recorded net of sublease income. For leases beginning in 2019 and later, lease components (e.g., base rent) are accounted for separately from non-lease components (e.g., common-area maintenance costs, real estate taxes and insurance costs).

ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment: In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017- 04, which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, any carrying amount which exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value (up to the amount of goodwill recorded) will be recognized as an impairment loss. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. Synovus elected to early adopt the guidance, effective January 1, 2019 and will apply the guidance prospectively, beginning with its annual impairment test as of June 30, 2019. Based on goodwill impairment tests performed in 2018, which did not require the application of Step 2, Synovus does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have an immediate impact.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments--Credit Losses (CECL). In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to credit losses. The new guidance (and all subsequent ASUs) replaces the existing incurred loss impairment guidance with an expected credit loss methodology. The new guidance will require management’s estimate of credit losses over the full remaining expected life of loans and other financial instruments. For Synovus, the standard will apply to loans, unfunded loan commitments, and debt securities available for sale. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. Synovus will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2020. Upon adoption, Synovus will record a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption. In addition, the amendments provide for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since their acquisition ("PCD assets"). The initial estimate of expected credit losses on PCD assets will be recognized through the ALL with an offset to the cost basis of the related financial asset at acquisition.

Synovus is continuing its implementation efforts which are led by a cross-functional steering committee. The team meets periodically to discuss the latest developments and ensure progress compared to planned timings. We commenced limited parallel testing and will continue in the second quarter as we progress toward model validation and complete fit-for-purpose testing. Management expects that the allowance for loan losses will be higher under the new standard; however, management is still in the process of determining the magnitude of the impact on its financial statements and regulatory capital ratios. Additionally, the extent of the expected increase on the allowance for loan losses will depend upon the composition of the loan portfolio upon adoption of the standard, as well as economic conditions and forecasts at that time.

Note 2 - Acquisitions

Acquisition of FCB Financial Holdings, Inc.

Effective January 1, 2019 (the "Acquisition Date"), Synovus completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. (FCB), a bank holding company based in Weston, Florida, for total consideration of approximately $1.6 billion. Effective January 1, 2019, FCB's wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Florida Community Bank National Association, merged into Synovus Bank. On the Acquisition Date, the preliminary estimated fair values of FCB included approximately $12.4 billion of identifiable assets, $9.3 billion in loans, and $10.9 billion in deposits. With the addition of FCB and its 51 full service banking centers, Synovus expanded its deposit base in the Southeast. The addition of FCB elevated Synovus' growth profile through a deepened presence in high-growth Florida markets. Conversion of FCB systems is scheduled to occur during the second quarter of 2019. The results of FCB's operations are included in Synovus' consolidated financial statements since the Acquisition Date.

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each outstanding share of FCB common stock was converted into the right to receive 1.055 Synovus common shares and cash in lieu of fractional shares. Additionally, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, certain outstanding FCB non-vested equity awards with a fair value of $7.4 million on the Acquisition Date, accelerated vesting and converted automatically into the right to receive merger consideration at the merger exchange ratio of 1.055, or an equivalent amount in cash, of which $3.5 million was allocated to purchase price and the remaining to merger-related compensation expense. In the aggregate, on the Acquisition Date, FCB stockholders received 49.5 million shares of Synovus common stock valued at approximately $1.6 billion and $601 thousand in cash. Also, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, FCB employee and non-employee director outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted share units as well as outstanding FCB warrants were converted into options, restricted share units, and warrants, respectively, to purchase and receive Synovus common stock. The converted options and restricted share units had a fair value of $41.5 million on the Acquisition Date, of which $37.3 million was allocated to purchase price and the remaining to compensation expense and the converted warrants had a fair value of $6.7 million attributed to purchase price. The estimated fair value of the converted restricted share units was based on Synovus' closing stock price on December 31, 2018 of $31.99, and the estimated fair value of the converted stock options was determined using a Hull-White model in a binomial lattice option pricing framework. The estimated fair value of the converted warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model.

The acquisition of FCB constituted a business combination and was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration exchanged were recorded at their estimated fair value on the Acquisition Date. The determination of estimated fair values requires management to make certain estimates about discount rates, future expected cash flows, market conditions, and other future events that are highly subjective in nature and may require adjustments. Upon receipt of final fair value estimates during the measurement period, which must be within one year of the acquisition date, Synovus will record any adjustments to the preliminary fair value estimates in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. Fair value adjustments based on updated estimates could materially affect the goodwill recorded on the acquisition. Synovus may incur losses on the acquired loans that are materially different from losses Synovus originally projected.

During the first quarter of 2019, Synovus recorded preliminary purchase price allocations related to FCB, which resulted in goodwill of $427.7 million, which is not-deductible for tax purposes. FCB's $19.6 million of merger-based success fees payable to third-party advisors and investment bankers were accounted for as part of the business combination and an assumed liability. Since the success fees payable by FCB were contingent upon the consummation of the merger, the expense was recognized as an "on the line" expense with no expense recognition in either the pre- or post-acquisition financials of FCB or Synovus. The following table reflects the consideration paid for FCB's net assets and the identifiable assets purchased and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of January 1, 2019. These fair value measurements are based on third-party and internal valuations.



(in thousands)
Consideration paid:
Synovus common stock issued and reissued from treasury⁽¹⁾			$	1,582,743
Cash payments to FCB stockholders attributed to purchase price⁽²⁾			173
Fair value of exchanged employee and director equity awards and FCB warrants attributed to purchase price⁽¹⁾			43,362
Total purchase price			$	1,626,278

Statement of Net Assets Acquired at Fair Value (Preliminary):
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	201,689
Investment securities available for sale	2,301,001
Loans	9,287,813
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance	216,848
Premises and equipment	44,890
Core deposit intangible	68,200
Other assets	266,607
Total Assets	$	12,387,048

Liabilities
Deposits	$	10,931,185
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	29,139
Long-term debt	153,236
Other liabilities	74,895
Total Liabilities	$	11,188,455

Fair value of net identifiable assets acquired			1,198,593
Preliminary goodwill			$	427,685

⁽¹⁾Based on Synovus' closing stock price of $31.99 on December 31, 2018.

⁽²⁾ $173 thousand of cash payment of $601 thousand attributed to purchase price with remaining allocated to compensation expense.

The following is a description of the methods used to determine the fair values of significant assets acquired and liabilities assumed presented above.

Investment Securities Available for Sale: Fair values for securities were based on quoted market prices from multiple third-party pricing services as well as realized proceeds upon sale of certain corporate bonds.

Loans: The Income Approach was utilized in accordance with ASC Topic 820 to estimate the fair value of the loans as of the Acquisition Date. The Income Approach utilizes a discounted cash flow method, to present value the expected cash flows using a market-based discount rate. The acquired loans were grouped together based on the terms of the loans, variable or fixed interest rate, variable index rate, interest or principal only loans, payment plans and amortizing or non-amortizing loans.

The discounted cash flow model utilized the contractual loan data and market-based assumptions for prepayment rates, loss rates, and servicing fee, at the loan group level, to project expected loan cash flows as of the Acquisition Date.

Core Deposit Intangible (CDI): This intangible asset represents the value of the relationships with deposit customers. The fair value for the core deposit intangible asset was estimated based on a discounted cash flow methodology that gave appropriate consideration to expected customer attrition rates, net maintenance cost of the deposit base, alternative costs of funds, and the interest costs associated with the customer deposits. The CDI is being amortized over its estimated useful life of approximately ten years utilizing an accelerated method.

Deposits: Certificates of deposit were valued by projecting out the expected cash flows based on the contractual terms of the certificates of deposit. These cash flows were discounted based on a market rate for a certificate of deposit with a corresponding maturity. The fair values for demand and savings deposits were assumed to approximate the carrying value as these accounts have no stated maturity and are payable on demand.

Long-term Debt: Fair values for FHLB borrowings were based on market values and market rates provided by the FHLB.

The following table presents consolidated financial information included in Synovus' unaudited consolidated statements of income from the Acquisition Date (January 1, 2019) through March 31, 2019 under the column "Actual from Acquisition Date." Synovus does not provide separate summary financial information of FCB from the Acquisition Date since it would be impracticable to do so as certain systems and processes were integrated during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The following table also presents unaudited pro forma information as if the acquisition occurred on January 1, 2018 under the "Pro Forma" column. The unaudited pro forma results include the estimated impact of amortizing and accreting certain estimated purchase accounting adjustments such as intangible assets as well as fair value adjustments to loans and deposits. Merger-related expenses that occurred at the effective time of the merger or subsequent to the merger are not reflected in the unaudited pro forma amounts. Cost savings are also not reflected in the unaudited pro forma amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had Synovus merged with FCB at the beginning of 2018.



(in thousands)	Actual from Acquisition Date (January 1, 2019) through March 31, 2019⁽¹⁾		Pro Forma for Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Net interest income	$	397,175	$	374,982
Non-interest income	79,378		74,269
Net income available to common shareholders	117,036		152,362

¹⁾ Actual results for the first quarter of 2019 include pre-tax merger-related expense of $49.7 million.

In connection with the FCB acquisition, Synovus incurred merger-related expense totaling $49.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily related to employee compensation, severance, and professional services, including the payment of $21.8 million related to employment agreements of certain FCB executives. Merger-related expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is presented in the table below:



(in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Employee compensation, severance, and other employee benefit costs	$	32,988
Professional services	15,200
All other expense⁽¹⁾	1,550
Total merger-related expense	$	49,738

⁽¹⁾ Primarily relates to fees associated with lease exit accruals, asset impairments related to the integration, and contract termination charges.

Acquisition of Global One

On October 1, 2016, Synovus completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of Global One. Under the terms of the merger agreement, the purchase price included additional annual payments ("Earnout Payments") to Global One's former shareholders over a three to five year period, with amounts based on a percentage of "Global One Earnings," as defined in the merger agreement. The Earnout Payments consist of shares of Synovus common stock as well as a smaller cash consideration component. During 2018, Synovus recorded an $11.7 million increase to the earnout liability driven by increased earnings projections of Global One and issued the second annual Earnout Payment of 199 thousand shares of Synovus common stock valued at $7.4 million and $1.2 million in cash. The total fair value of the earnout liability at March 31, 2019 was $14.4 million based on the estimated fair value of the remaining Earnout Payments.

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Note 3 - Investment Securities Available for Sale

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair values of investment securities available for sale at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are summarized below.



	March 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	19,584	$	—	$	—		$	19,584
U.S. Government agency securities	83,982		1,299		—			85,281
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	93,455		216		(1,734		)	91,937
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	4,612,253		42,710		(30,649		)	4,624,314
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	1,001,493		3,513		(17,236		)	987,770
Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	336,321		5,672		(168		)	341,825
Asset-backed securities	506,125		4,722		(542		)	510,305
State and municipal securities	2,108		1		(3		)	2,106
Corporate debt securities	144,442		811		(184		)	145,069
Total investment securities available for sale	$	6,799,763	$	58,944	$	(50,516	)	$	6,808,191

	December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	123,436	$	—	$	(1,359	)	$	122,077
U.S. Government agency securities	38,021		361		—			38,382
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	100,060		172		(3,027		)	97,205
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	2,460,498		1,981		(63,829		)	2,398,650
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	1,215,406		2,997		(29,885		)	1,188,518
Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	131,492		613		(2,240		)	129,865
Corporate debt securities	17,000		150		(215		)	16,935
Total investment securities available for sale	$	4,085,913	$	6,274	$	(100,555	)	$	3,991,632

At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, investment securities with a carrying value of $1.84 billion and $1.56 billion, respectively, were pledged to secure certain deposits and securities sold under repurchase agreements as required by law and contractual agreements.

Synovus has evaluated investment securities that are in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 for OTTI and does not consider any securities in an unrealized loss position to be other-than-temporarily impaired. If Synovus intended to sell a security in an unrealized loss position, the entire unrealized loss would be reflected in earnings. Synovus does not intend to sell investment securities in an unrealized loss position prior to the recovery of the unrealized loss, which may not be until maturity, and has the ability and intent to hold those securities for that period of time. Additionally, Synovus is not currently aware of any circumstances which will require it to sell any of the securities that are in an unrealized loss position prior to the respective securities' recovery of all such unrealized losses.

For investment securities that Synovus does not expect to sell, or it is not more likely than not it will be required to sell prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, the credit component of an OTTI would be recognized in earnings and the non-credit component would be recognized in OCI. Currently, unrealized losses on debt securities are attributable to increases in interest rates on comparable securities from the date of purchase. Synovus regularly evaluates its investment securities portfolio to ensure that there are no conditions that would indicate that unrealized losses represent OTTI. These factors include the length of time the security has been in a loss position, the extent that the fair value is below amortized cost, and the credit standing of the issuer.

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As of March 31, 2019, Synovus had 17 investment securities in a loss position for less than twelve months and 109 investment securities in a loss position for twelve months or longer.

Asset-backed securities and corporate bonds and other debt securities acquired as part of the FCB acquisition were generally underwritten in accordance with Synovus' credit extension standards, without relying on a bond issuer's guarantee in making the investment decision. These investments are investment grade and will continue to be monitored as part of Synovus' ongoing impairment analysis, but are expected to perform in accordance with their terms.

Gross unrealized losses on investment securities and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are presented below.



	March 31, 2019
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
(in thousands)	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	$	638	$	(3	)	$	78,141	$	(1,731	)	$	78,779	$	(1,734	)
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		—			1,729,242		(30,649		)	1,729,242		(30,649		)
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	512		(1		)	851,982		(17,235		)	852,494		(17,236		)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		—			51,236		(168		)	51,236		(168		)
Asset-backed securities	103,969		(542		)	—		—			103,969		(542		)
State and municipal securities	1,082		(3		)	—		—			1,082		(3		)
Corporate debt securities	9,344		(165		)	1,981		(19		)	11,325		(184		)
Total	$	115,545	$	(714	)	$	2,712,582	$	(49,802	)	$	2,828,127	$	(50,516	)

	December 31, 2018
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
(in thousands)	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
U.S. Treasury securities	$	39,031	$	(118	)	$	63,570	$	(1,241	)	$	102,601	$	(1,359	)
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	2,059		(2		)	79,736		(3,025		)	81,795		(3,027		)
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	130,432		(700		)	2,105,358		(63,129		)	2,235,790		(63,829		)
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	—		—			964,732		(29,885		)	964,732		(29,885		)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	58,998		(1,298		)	44,220		(942		)	103,218		(2,240		)
Corporate debt securities	—		—			1,785		(215		)	1,785		(215		)
Total	$	230,520	$	(2,118	)	$	3,259,401	$	(98,437	)	$	3,489,921	$	(100,555	)

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The amortized cost and fair value by contractual maturity of investment securities available for sale at March 31, 2019 are shown below. The expected life of mortgage-backed securities or CMOs may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. For purposes of the maturity table, mortgage-backed securities and CMOs, which are not due at a single maturity date, have been classified based on the final contractual maturity date.



	Distribution of Maturities at March 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Within One Year		1 to 5 Years		5 to 10 Years		More Than 10 Years		Total
Amortized Cost
U.S. Treasury securities	$	19,584	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	19,584
U.S. Government agency securities	791		2,100		81,091		—		83,982
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	—		—		17,976		75,479		93,455
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		48,381		462,977		4,100,895		4,612,253
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	—		—		25,958		975,535		1,001,493
Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		22,765		217,918		95,638		336,321
Asset-backed securities	—		4,495		328,637		172,993		506,125
State and municipal securities	—		—		1,085		1,023		2,108
Corporate debt securities	—		109,290		33,152		2,000		144,442
Total amortized cost	$	20,375	$	187,031	$	1,168,794	$	5,423,563	$	6,799,763

Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	19,584	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	19,584
U.S. Government agency securities	800		2,124		82,357		—		85,281
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	—		—		17,700		74,237		91,937
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		48,194		459,948		4,116,172		4,624,314
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	—		—		25,495		962,275		987,770
Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		22,878		221,506		97,441		341,825
Asset-backed securities	—		4,530		332,485		173,290		510,305
State and municipal securities	—		—		1,082		1,024		2,106
Corporate debt securities	—		109,353		33,735		1,981		145,069
Total fair value	$	20,384	$	187,079	$	1,174,308	$	5,426,420	$	6,808,191

Proceeds from sales, gross gains, and gross losses on sales of securities available for sale for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are presented below. The specific identification method is used to reclassify gains and losses out of other comprehensive income at the time of sale.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2019			2018
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale	$	1,188,239		$	—
Gross realized gains on sales	9,130			—
Gross realized losses on sales	(9,055		)	—
Investment securities gains, net	$	75		$	—

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Note 4 - Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

The following is a summary of current, accruing past due, and non-accrual originated (loans originated, renewed, refinanced, modified, or otherwise underwritten by Synovus) and acquired loans from business combinations by portfolio class as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.



Current, Accruing Past Due, and Non-accrual Originated Loans
	March 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Current		Accruing 30-89 Days Past Due		Accruing 90 Days or Greater Past Due		Total Accruing Past Due		Non-accrual		Total
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	7,563,911	$	17,395	$	641	$	18,036	$	79,305	$	7,661,252
Owner-occupied	5,356,411		7,699		329		8,028		11,239		5,375,678
Total commercial and industrial	12,920,322		25,094		970		26,064		90,544		13,036,930
Investment properties	5,712,709		7,510		—		7,510		726		5,720,945
1-4 family properties	654,046		2,031		—		2,031		1,722		657,799
Land and development	336,537		3,749		251		4,000		2,650		343,187
Total commercial real estate	6,703,292		13,290		251		13,541		5,098		6,721,931
Consumer mortgages	3,031,630		5,721		—		5,721		6,856		3,044,207
Home equity lines	1,521,292		5,333		345		5,678		13,756		1,540,726
Credit cards	248,066		2,307		2,389		4,696		—		252,762
Other consumer loans	2,002,539		16,374		531		16,905		4,249		2,023,693
Total consumer	6,803,527		29,735		3,265		33,000		24,861		6,861,388
Total loans	$	26,427,141	$	68,119	$	4,486	$	72,605	$	120,503	$	26,620,249	⁽¹⁾



Current, Accruing Past Due, and Non-accrual Acquired Loans
	March 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Current		Accruing 30-89 Days Past Due⁽²⁾		Accruing 90 Days or Greater Past Due⁽²⁾		Total Accruing Past Due⁽²⁾		Non-accrual⁽²⁾		ASC 310-30 Loans		Discount/Premium			Total
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	702,511	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,200,453	$	(16,400	)	$	1,886,564
Owner-occupied	76,452		—		—		—		—		1,115,983		(7,432		)	1,185,003
Total commercial and industrial	778,963		—		—		—		—		2,316,436		(23,832		)	3,071,567
Investment properties	991,352		—		—		—		—		2,228,455		(23,972		)	3,195,835
1-4 family properties	44,363		—		—		—		180		63,960		(1,301		)	107,202
Land and development	127,204		—		—		—		—		113,053		(2,853		)	237,404
Total commercial real estate	1,162,919		—		—		—		180		2,405,468		(28,126		)	3,540,441
Consumer mortgages	127,577		—		—		—		—		2,319,288		(100,251		)	2,346,614
Home equity lines	68,395		75		—		75		7		5,377		(8,353		)	65,501
Other consumer loans	358		—		—		—		—		14,923		(1,497		)	13,784
Total consumer	196,330		75		—		75		7		2,339,588		(110,101		)	2,425,899
Total loans	$	2,138,212	$	75	$	—	$	75	$	187	$	7,061,492	$	(162,059	)	$	9,037,907	⁽³⁾

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Current, Accruing Past Due, and Non-accrual Loans
	December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Current		Accruing 30-89 Days Past Due		Accruing 90 Days or Greater Past Due		Total Accruing Past Due		Non-accrual		Total
Commercial, financial, and agricultural	$	7,372,301	$	7,988	$	114	$	8,102	$	69,295	$	7,449,698
Owner-occupied	5,317,023		5,433		81		5,514		8,971		5,331,508
Total commercial and industrial	12,689,324		13,421		195		13,616		78,266		12,781,206
Investment properties	5,557,224		1,312		34		1,346		2,381		5,560,951
1-4 family properties	674,648		2,745		96		2,841		2,381		679,870
Land and development	319,978		739		—		739		2,953		323,670
Total commercial real estate	6,551,850		4,796		130		4,926		7,715		6,564,491
Consumer mortgages	2,922,136		7,150		—		7,150		4,949		2,934,235
Home equity lines	1,496,562		7,092		28		7,120		12,114		1,515,796
Credit cards	252,832		3,066		2,347		5,413		—		258,245
Other consumer loans	1,894,352		17,604		1,098		18,702		3,689		1,916,743
Total consumer	6,565,882		34,912		3,473		38,385		20,752		6,625,019
Total loans	$	25,807,056	$	53,129	$	3,798	$	56,927	$	106,733	$	25,970,716	⁽⁴⁾

⁽¹⁾Total before net deferred fees and costs of $23.7 million.

⁽²⁾For purposes of this table, non-performing and past due loans exclude acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30.

⁽³⁾Represents $9.29 billion (at fair value) of loans acquired from FCB, net of payments since acquisition date.


⁽⁴⁾	Total before net deferred fees and costs of $24.1 million.

Loans with carrying values of $11.59 billion and $8.40 billion were pledged as collateral for borrowings and capacity at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, to the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank.

The credit quality of the loan portfolio is reviewed and updated no less frequently than quarterly using the standard asset classification system utilized by the federal banking agencies. These classifications are divided into three groups – Not Criticized (Pass), Special Mention, and Classified or Adverse rating (Substandard, Doubtful, and Loss) and are defined as follows:

Pass - loans which are well protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor (or guarantors, if any) or by the fair value, less cost to acquire and sell in a timely manner, of any underlying collateral.

Special Mention - loans which have potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. These loans are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant an adverse classification.

Substandard - loans which are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Loans with this classification are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful - loans which have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified as Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable on the basis of currently known facts, conditions, and values.

Loss - loans which are considered by management to be uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance on the institution's books as an asset, without establishment of a specific valuation allowance or charge-off, is not warranted. Synovus fully reserves for any loans rated as Loss.

In the following tables, consumer loans are generally assigned a risk grade similar to the classifications described above; however, upon reaching 90 days and 120 days past due, they are generally downgraded to Substandard and Loss, respectively, in accordance with the FFIEC Retail Credit Classification Policy. Additionally, in accordance with Interagency Supervisory Guidance, the risk grade classifications of consumer loans (consumer mortgages and home equity lines) secured by junior liens on 1-4 family residential properties also consider available information on the payment status of any associated senior liens with other financial institutions.

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Originated Loan Portfolio Credit Exposure by Risk Grade
	March 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard⁽¹⁾		Doubtful⁽²⁾		Loss⁽³⁾			Total
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	7,409,047	$	114,592	$	134,607	$	3,006	$	—		$	7,661,252
Owner-occupied	5,261,553		44,074		69,626		425		—			5,375,678
Total commercial and industrial	12,670,600		158,666		204,233		3,431		—			13,036,930
Investment properties	5,674,855		21,418		24,672		—		—			5,720,945
1-4 family properties	644,165		6,080		7,554		—		—			657,799
Land and development	320,071		13,057		10,059		—		—			343,187
Total commercial real estate	6,639,091		40,555		42,285		—		—			6,721,931
Consumer mortgages	3,035,289		—		8,821		97		—			3,044,207
Home equity lines	1,524,679		—		14,279		22		1,746			1,540,726
Credit cards	250,379		—		820		—		1,563		⁽⁴⁾	252,762
Other consumer loans	2,019,300		—		4,393		—		—			2,023,693
Total consumer	6,829,647		—		28,313		119		3,309			6,861,388
Total loans	$	26,139,338	$	199,221	$	274,831	$	3,550	$	3,309		$	26,620,249	⁽⁵⁾


Acquired Loan Portfolio Credit Exposure by Risk Grade
	March 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard⁽¹⁾		Doubtful		Loss			Total
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	1,851,159	$	18,283	$	17,122	$	—	$	—		$	1,886,564
Owner-occupied	1,171,512		5,723		7,768		—		—			1,185,003
Total commercial and industrial	3,022,671		24,006		24,890		—		—			3,071,567
Investment properties	3,130,586		21,853		43,396		—		—			3,195,835
1-4 family properties	104,555		164		2,483		—		—			107,202
Land and development	237,274		130		—		—		—			237,404
Total commercial real estate	3,472,415		22,147		45,879		—		—			3,540,441
Consumer mortgages	2,341,245		—		5,369		—		—			2,346,614
Home equity lines	65,084		—		417		—		—			65,501
Other consumer loans	13,784		—		—		—		—			13,784
Total consumer	2,420,113		—		5,786		—		—			2,425,899
Total loans	$	8,915,199	$	46,153	$	76,555	$	—	$	—		$	9,037,907	⁽⁶⁾

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Loan Portfolio Credit Exposure by Risk Grade
	December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard⁽¹⁾		Doubtful⁽²⁾		Loss⁽³⁾			Total
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	7,190,517	$	118,188	$	140,218	$	775	$	—		$	7,449,698
Owner-occupied	5,212,473		55,038		63,572		425		—			5,331,508
Total commercial and industrial	12,402,990		173,226		203,790		1,200		—			12,781,206
Investment properties	5,497,344		40,516		23,091		—		—			5,560,951
1-4 family properties	663,692		6,424		9,754		—		—			679,870
Land and development	297,855		12,786		13,029		—		—			323,670
Total commercial real estate	6,458,891		59,726		45,874		—		—			6,564,491
Consumer mortgages	2,926,712		—		7,425		98		—			2,934,235
Home equity lines	1,501,316		—		13,130		174		1,176			1,515,796
Credit cards	255,904		—		858		—		1,483		⁽⁴⁾	258,245
Other consumer loans	1,912,902		—		3,841		—		—			1,916,743
Total consumer	6,596,834		—		25,254		272		2,659			6,625,019
Total loans	$	25,458,715	$	232,952	$	274,918	$	1,472	$	2,659		$	25,970,716	⁽⁷⁾

⁽¹⁾ Includes $214.3 million and $172.3 million of Substandard accruing loans at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

⁽²⁾ The loans within this risk grade are on non-accrual status and generally have an allowance for loan losses equal to 50% of the loan amount.

⁽³⁾ The loans within this risk grade are on non-accrual status and have an allowance for loan losses equal to the full loan amount.

⁽⁴⁾Represent amounts that were 120 days past due. These credits are downgraded to the Loss category with an allowance for loan losses equal to the full loan amount and are generally charged off upon reaching 181 days past due in accordance with the FFIEC Retail Credit Classification Policy.

⁽⁵⁾Total before net deferred fees and costs of $23.7 million.

⁽⁶⁾Represents $9.29 billion (at fair value) of loans acquired from FCB, net of payments since acquisition date.

⁽⁷⁾Total before net deferred fees and costs of $24.1 million.

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Acquired loans

As discussed in "Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 - Acquisitions", on January 1, 2019, Synovus acquired loans from FCB with fair values of $9.29 billion net of total discount of $169.4 million.

At the Acquisition Date, the contractual required payments receivable on the purchased loans accounted for under ASC 310-20 totaled $2.45 billion, with a corresponding fair value of $2.15 billion. The estimated cash flows not expected to be collected at the Acquisition Date were $39.5 million.

Information about the acquired FCB loan portfolio accounted for under ASC 310-30 as of the Acquisition Date is in the following table.



(dollars in thousands)	ASC 310-30 Loans
Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition	$	8,377,942
Non-accretable difference (expected losses and foregone interest)	(163,147		)
Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition	8,214,795
Accretable yield	(1,066,689		)
Basis in ASC 310-30 loans at acquisition	$	7,148,106

The following table is a summary of changes in the accretable difference for all loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 for the three months ended March 31, 2019.



(dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	—
Additions	1,066,689
Transfers from non-accretable difference to accretable yield	—
Accretion	(88,928		)
Changes in expected cash flows not affecting non-accretable differences⁽¹⁾	—
Ending balance	$	977,761

⁽¹⁾Includes changes in cash flows expected to be collected due to the impact of changes in actual or expected timing of liquidation events, modifications, changes in interest rates and changes in prepayment assumptions^.

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The following tables detail the changes in the allowance for loan losses by loan segment for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.



Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans
	As Of and For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Commercial & Industrial			Commercial Real Estate			Consumer			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	133,123		$	68,796		$	48,636		$	250,555
Charge-offs	(13,039		)	(1,233		)	(6,427		)	(20,699		)
Recoveries	1,990			344			1,277			3,611
Provision for loan losses	13,565			1,102			8,902			23,569
Ending balance⁽¹⁾	$	135,639		$	69,009		$	52,388		$	257,036
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	17,948		$	1,610		$	763		$	20,321
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	117,691		$	67,399		$	51,625		$	236,715
Loans:
Ending balance: total loans⁽²⁾	$	16,108,497		$	10,262,372		$	9,287,287		$	35,658,156
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	135,825		$	28,107		$	28,347		$	192,279
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment⁽³⁾	$	13,680,451		$	7,854,004		$	7,018,033		$	28,552,488
Ending balance: acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30⁽⁴⁾	$	2,292,221		$	2,380,261		$	2,240,907		$	6,913,389

	As Of and For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Commercial & Industrial			Commercial Real Estate			Consumer			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	126,803		$	74,998		$	47,467		$	249,268
Charge-offs	(8,015		)	(1,911		)	(4,455		)	(14,381		)
Recoveries	3,112			5,723			1,266			10,101
Provision for loan losses	12,845			(4,819		)	4,750			12,776
Ending balance⁽¹⁾	$	134,745		$	73,991		$	49,028		$	257,764
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	14,405		$	3,740		$	797		$	18,942
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	120,340		$	70,251		$	48,231		$	238,822
Loans:
Ending balance: total loans⁽¹⁾⁽⁵⁾	$	12,101,917		$	6,835,727		$	5,969,354		$	24,906,998
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	112,823		$	49,221		$	29,608		$	191,652
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	11,989,094		$	6,786,506		$	5,939,746		$	24,715,346

⁽¹⁾As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, there was no allowance for loan losses for acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30.

⁽²⁾Total before net deferred fees and costs of $23.7 million.

⁽³⁾These loans are presented net of the remaining fair value discount of $14.0 million at March 31. 2019.

⁽⁴⁾These loans are presented net of the remaining fair value discount of $148.1 million at March 31, 2019.

⁽⁵⁾Total before net deferred fees and costs of $24.0 million.

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Below is a detailed summary of impaired loans (including TDRs) by class as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, impaired loans of $80.1 million and $51.3 million, respectively, were on non-accrual status.



Impaired Loans (including accruing TDRs)
	March 31, 2019								December 31, 2018
			Recorded Investment								Recorded Investment
(in thousands)	Unpaid Principal Balance		Without an ALL		With an ALL		Related Allowance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Without an ALL		With an ALL		Related Allowance
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	98,263	$	32,007	$	53,145	$	15,063	$	65,150	$	22,298	$	34,222	$	7,133
Owner-occupied	53,433		124		50,549		2,885		49,588		—		48,902		3,074
Total commercial and industrial	151,696		32,131		103,694		17,948		114,738		22,298		83,124		10,207
Investment properties	13,019		—		13,019		894		13,916		—		13,916		1,523
1-4 family properties	5,044		—		5,044		144		5,586		—		5,586		131
Land and development	12,632		265		9,779		572		16,283		265		13,431		944
Total commercial real estate	30,695		265		27,842		1,610		35,785		265		32,933		2,598
Consumer mortgages	19,751		—		19,751		280		19,506		—		19,506		343
Home equity lines	3,389		—		3,339		307		3,264		—		3,235		224
Other consumer loans	5,257		—		5,257		176		5,565		—		5,565		177
Total consumer	28,397		—		28,347		763		28,335		—		28,306		744
Total loans	$	210,788	$	32,396	$	159,883	$	20,321	$	178,858	$	22,563	$	144,363	$	13,549



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019				Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized⁽¹⁾		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized⁽¹⁾
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	76,353	$	554	$	75,880	$	399
Owner-occupied	50,038		526		37,715		370
Total commercial and industrial	126,391		1,080		113,595		769
Investment properties	13,040		142		22,769		198
1-4 family properties	5,509		131		11,715		216
Land and development	11,062		35		18,170		76
Total commercial real estate	29,611		308		52,654		490
Consumer mortgages	20,037		213		19,986		195
Home equity lines	3,302		35		6,505		45
Other consumer loans	5,463		78		5,391		72
Total consumer	28,802		326		31,882		312
Total loans	$	184,804	$	1,714	$	198,131	$	1,571


⁽¹⁾	Of the interest income recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, cash-basis interest income was $400 thousand and $141 thousand, respectively.

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Information about Synovus' TDRs is presented in the following tables. Modifications of loans that are accounted for within a pool under ASC Topic 310-30 are excluded as TDRs. Accordingly, such modifications do not result in the removal of those loans from the pool, even if the modification of those loans would otherwise be considered a TDR. As a result, all such acquired loans that would otherwise meet the criteria for classification as a TDR are excluded from the tables below. The following tables represent, by concession type, the post-modification balance for loans modified or renewed during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 that were reported as accruing or non-accruing TDRs.



TDRs by Concession Type
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
(in thousands, except contract data)	Number of Contracts	Below Market Interest Rate		Other Concessions⁽¹⁾		Total
Commercial, financial and agricultural	13	$	1,783	$	899	$	2,682
Owner-occupied	2	949		—		949
Total commercial and industrial	15	2,732		899		3,631
Investment properties	1	482		—		482
1-4 family properties	6	793		—		793
Total commercial real estate	7	1,275		—		1,275
Consumer mortgages	4	128		1,214		1,342
Home equity lines	1	—		105		105
Other consumer loans	18	108		1,046		1,154
Total consumer	23	236		2,365		2,601
Total TDRs	45	$	4,243	$	3,264	$	7,507	⁽²⁾



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands, except contract data)	Number of Contracts	Below Market Interest Rate		Other Concessions⁽¹⁾		Total
Commercial, financial and agricultural	9	$	—	$	989	$	989
Owner-occupied	2	2,705		93		2,798
Total commercial and industrial	11	2,705		1,082		3,787
Investment properties	1	—		1,959		1,959
1-4 family properties	6	963		—		963
Total commercial real estate	7	963		1,959		2,922
Consumer mortgages	7	1,733		—		1,733
Other consumer loans	14	537		508		1,045
Total consumer	21	2,270		508		2,778
Total TDRs	39	$	5,938	$	3,549	$	9,487	⁽³⁾

⁽¹⁾ Other concessions generally include term extensions, interest only payments for a period of time, or principal forgiveness, but there was no principal forgiveness for each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

⁽²⁾ No net charge-offs were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2019 upon restructuring of these loans.

⁽³⁾ No net charge-offs were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2018 upon restructuring of these loans.

For each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no defaults on accruing TDRs restructured during the previous twelve months (defaults are defined as the earlier of the TDR being placed on non-accrual status or reaching 90 days past due with respect to principal and/or interest payments).

If, at the time a loan was designated as a TDR, the loan was not already impaired, the measurement of impairment that resulted from the TDR designation closely approximates the reserve derived through specific loan measurement of impairment in accordance with ASC 310-10-35. Generally, the change in the allowance for loan losses resulting from such TDR designation is not significant. At March 31, 2019, the allowance for loan losses allocated to accruing TDRs totaling $112.2 million was $4.7 million compared to accruing TDRs of $115.6 million with an allocated allowance for loan losses of $6.1 million at December 31, 2018. Non-accrual, non-homogeneous loans (commercial-type impaired loans greater than $1 million) that are designated as TDRs are individually measured for the amount of impairment, if any, both before and after the TDR designation. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were no commitments to lend a material amount of additional funds to any customer whose loan was classified as a troubled debt restructuring.

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Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Changes to the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are provided in the following table. There were no changes to the carrying amount of goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2018.



(in thousands)	Synovus Bank Reporting Unit		Trust Services Reporting Unit		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	32,884	$	24,431	$	57,315
Goodwill acquired during the year (preliminary allocation)	427,685		—		427,685
Balance as of March 31, 2019	$	460,569	$	24,431	$	485,000

Effective January 1, 2019, Synovus acquired FCB. In connection with the acquisition, Synovus has recorded $427.7 million of goodwill based on preliminary fair value estimates of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combination as of March 31, 2019. Additionally, Synovus recorded a $68.2 million core deposit intangible asset on the Acquisition Date. See "Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 - Acquisitions" in this Report for additional information on the FCB acquisition.

As of June 30, 2018, Synovus completed its annual goodwill impairment evaluation applying ASC 350-20-35-3A, Goodwill Subsequent Measurement - Qualitative Assessment Approach and concluded that goodwill was not impaired. No events or circumstances have occurred since that date to warrant a subsequent interim evaluation.

The following table shows the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, which primarily consist of core deposit intangible assets acquired in the FCB acquisition. Core deposit intangible assets were $65.1 million at March 31, 2019. The CDI is being amortized over its estimated useful life of approximately ten years utilizing an accelerated method. Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $3.4 million and $292 thousand, respectively.



(in thousands)	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Other intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$	81,128		$	13,140
Other intangible assets, adjustment	—			(212		)
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(6,445		)	(3,053		)
Other intangible assets, net carrying amount	$	74,683		$	9,875

Note 6 - Shareholders' Equity and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Stock issued for acquisition of FCB

On January 1, 2019, as part of the FCB acquisition, Synovus issued 22.0 million shares of common stock and reissued 27.4 million shares of treasury stock and incurred $417 thousand in costs related to the issuance. FCB stockholders received 1.055 shares of Synovus common stock for each outstanding share of FCB common stock. Also, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, outstanding stock options, non-vested restricted share units, and warrants were converted into options, restricted share units, and warrants, respectively, to purchase and receive Synovus common stock. The total value of the acquisition consideration paid by Synovus was approximately $1.6 billion. See "Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 - Acquisitions" in this Report for more information on the FCB acquisition.

Repurchases of Common Stock

On January 15, 2019, Synovus announced a share repurchase program of up to $400 million. As of March 31, 2019, Synovus had repurchased under this program a total of $320.0 million, or 8.5 million shares of its common stock, at an average price of $37.71 per share.

The following tables illustrate activity within the balances in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

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Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Net of Income Taxes)
(in thousands)	Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges⁽¹⁾			Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale⁽¹⁾			Post-retirement unfunded health benefit			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	(12,137	)	$	(83,179	)	$	896		$	(94,420	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	—			76,164			—			76,164
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			(56		)	(30		)	(86		)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	—			76,108			(30		)	76,078
Balance as of March 31, 2019	$	(12,137	)	$	(7,071	)	$	866		$	(18,342	)

Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	(12,137	)	$	(43,470	)	$	853		$	(54,754	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	—			(45,531		)	—			(45,531		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			(21		)	(21		)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	—			(45,531		)	(21		)	(45,552		)
Reclassification from adoption of ASU 2018-02	—			(7,763		)	175			(7,588		)
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2016-01	—			117			—			117
Balance as of March 31, 2018	$	(12,137	)	$	(96,647	)	$	1,007		$	(107,777	)

⁽¹⁾In accordance with ASC 740-20-45-11(b), in 2010 and 2011, Synovus recorded a deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with net unrealized losses not recognized in income directly to other comprehensive income (loss) by applying the portfolio approach which treats derivative instruments and available for sale securities as a single portfolio. For all periods presented, the ending balance in net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges and investment securities available for sale includes unrealized losses of $12.1 million and $13.3 million, respectively, related to the residual tax effects remaining in OCI due to the previously established deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Under the portfolio approach, these unrealized losses are realized at the time the entire portfolio is sold or disposed.

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Note 7 - Fair Value Accounting

See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements of Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K for a description of the fair value hierarchy and valuation methodologies for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables present all financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.



	March 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Assets
Trading securities:
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	$	—	$	241	$	—	$	241
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		1,217		—		1,217
Other investments	200		82		—		282
Total trading securities	$	200	$	1,540	$	—	$	1,740
Mortgage loans held for sale	—		55,970		—		55,970
Investment securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	19,584	$	—	$	—	$	19,584
U.S. Government agency securities	—		85,281		—		85,281
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	—		91,937		—		91,937
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		4,624,314		—		4,624,314
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	—		987,770		—		987,770
Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		341,825		—		341,825
State and municipal securities	—		2,106		—		2,106
Asset-backed securities	—		510,305		—		510,305
Corporate debt securities	—		143,088		1,981		145,069
Total investment securities available for sale	$	19,584	$	6,786,626	$	1,981	$	6,808,191
Private equity investments	—		—		11,886		11,886
Mutual funds	16,147		—		—		16,147
Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts	12,579		—		—		12,579
GGL/SBA loans servicing asset	—		—		3,447		3,447
Derivative assets:
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	74,114	$	—	$	74,114
Mortgage derivatives⁽¹⁾	—		1,637		—		1,637
Total derivative assets	$	—	$	75,751	$	—	$	75,751
Liabilities
Earnout liability⁽²⁾	—		—		14,353		14,353
Derivative liabilities:
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	22,755	$	—	22,755
Mortgage derivatives⁽¹⁾	—		806		—		806
Visa derivative	—		—		1,366		1,366
Total derivative liabilities	$	—	$	23,561	$	1,366	$	24,927

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	December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Assets
Trading securities:
U.S. Government agency securities	$	—	$	44	$	—	$	44
State and municipal securities	—		1,064		—		1,064
Other investments	1,128		894		—		2,022
Total trading securities	$	1,128	$	2,002	$	—	$	3,130
Mortgage loans held for sale	—		37,129		—		37,129
Investment securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	122,077	$	—	$	—	$	122,077
U.S. Government agency securities	—		38,382		—		38,382
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	—		97,205		—		97,205
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		2,398,650		—		2,398,650
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	—		1,188,518		—		1,188,518
Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		129,865		—		129,865
Corporate debt securities	—		15,150		1,785		16,935
Total investment securities available for sale	$	122,077	$	3,867,770	$	1,785	$	3,991,632
Private equity investments	—		—		11,028		11,028
Mutual funds	3,168		—		—		3,168
Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts	12,844		—		—		12,844
GGL/SBA loans servicing asset	—		—		3,729		3,729
Derivative assets:
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	18,388	$	—	$	18,388
Mortgage derivatives⁽¹⁾	—		944		—		944
Total derivative assets	$	—	$	19,332	$	—	$	19,332
Liabilities
Earnout liability⁽²⁾	—		—		14,353		14,353
Derivative liabilities:
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	15,716	$	—	$	15,716
Mortgage derivatives⁽¹⁾	—		819		—		819
Visa derivative	—		—		1,673		1,673
Total derivative liabilities	$	—	$	16,535	$	1,673	$	18,208

⁽¹⁾Mortgage derivatives consist of customer interest rate lock commitments that relate to the potential origination of mortgage loans, which would be classified as held for sale and forward loan sales commitments with third-party investors.

⁽²⁾Earnout liability consists of contingent consideration obligation related to the Global One acquisition.

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Fair Value Option

Synovus has elected the fair value option for mortgage loans held for sale primarily to ease the operational burden required to maintain hedge accounting for these loans. Synovus is still able to achieve effective economic hedges on mortgage loans held for sale without the time and expense needed to manage a hedge accounting program.

The following table summarizes the difference between the fair value and the unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value and the changes in fair value of these loans. An immaterial portion of these changes in fair value was attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk.



Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
(in thousands)	As of March 31, 2019		As of December 31, 2018
Fair value	$	55,970	$	37,129
Unpaid principal balance	54,333		35,848
Fair value less aggregate unpaid principal balance	$	1,637	$	1,281



Changes in Fair Value Included in Net Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2019		2018
Mortgage loans held for sale	$	356	$	115

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, Synovus did not have any transfers in or out of Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, total net gains/losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to assets/liabilities still held at March 31, 2019 and 2018 were a $858 thousand gain and a $3.1 million loss, respectively.

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	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Investment Securities Available for Sale			Private Equity Investments			GGL / SBA Loans Servicing Asset			Earnout Liability			Visa Derivative
Beginning balance, January 1, 2019	$	1,785		$	11,028		$	3,729		$	(14,353	)	$	(1,673	)
Total gains (losses) realized/unrealized:
Included in earnings	—			858			(488		)	—			—
Unrealized gains (losses) included in OCI	196			—			—			—			—
Additions	—			—			206			—			—
Settlements	—			—			—			—			307
Ending balance, March 31, 2019	$	1,981		$	11,886		$	3,447		$	(14,353	)	$	(1,366	)
Total net gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to assets/liabilities still held at March 31, 2019	$	—		$	858		$	—		$	—		$	—

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Investment Securities Available for Sale			Private Equity Investments			GGL / SBA Loans Servicing Asset			Earnout Liability			Visa Derivative
Beginning balance, January 1, 2018	$	1,935		$	15,771		$	4,101		$	(11,348	)	$	(4,330	)
Total (losses) gains realized/unrealized:
Included in earnings	—			(3,056		)	(422		)	—			—
Unrealized gains (losses) included in OCI	(83		)	—			—			—			—
Additions	—			—			292			—			—
Settlements	—			—			—			—			356
Ending balance, March 31, 2018	$	1,852		$	12,715		$	3,971		$	(11,348	)	$	(3,974	)
Total net losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets/liabilities still held at March 31, 2018	$	—		$	(3,056	)	$	—		$	—		$	—

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain assets are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Non-recurring fair value adjustments typically are a result of the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting occurring during the period recorded as a charge-off with associated provision expense or a write-down in non-interest expense. For example, if the fair value of an asset in these categories falls below its cost basis, it is considered to be at fair value at the end of the period of the adjustment. The following table presents assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of the dates indicated for which there was a fair value adjustment during the period.

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	March 31, 2019								December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Impaired loans⁽¹⁾	$	—	$	—	$	1,578	$	1,578	$	—	$	—	$	21,742	$	21,742
Other loans held for sale	—		—		—		—		—		—		1,494		1,494
Other real estate	—		—		159		159		—		—		3,827		3,827
Other assets held for sale	—		—		517		517		—		—		1,104		1,104

⁽¹⁾Collateral-dependent impaired loans that were written down to fair value during the period.

Other real estate (ORE) properties are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of ORE at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $11.3 million and $6.2 million, respectively.

The following table presents fair value adjustments recognized in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 for assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis still held at period-end.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2019		2018
Impaired loans⁽¹⁾	$	2,625	$	720
Other loans held for sale	—		1,512
Other real estate	18		731
Other assets held for sale	96		107

⁽¹⁾Collateral-dependent impaired loans that were written down to fair value during the period.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following tables present the carrying and fair values of financial instruments at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The fair values represent management’s estimates based on various methodologies and assumptions. See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements of Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K for a description of how fair value measurements are determined.

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	March 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	$	1,265,925	$	1,265,925	$	1,265,925	$	—	$	—
Trading securities	1,740		1,740		200		1,540		—
Mortgage loans held for sale	55,970		55,970		—		55,970		—
Other loans held for sale	12		12		—		—		12
Investment securities available for sale	6,808,191		6,808,191		19,584		6,786,626		1,981
Private equity investments	11,886		11,886		—		—		11,886
Mutual funds	16,147		16,147		16,147		—		—
Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts	12,579		12,579		12,579		—		—
Loans, net	35,377,465		35,086,637		—		—		35,086,637
GGL/SBA loans servicing asset	3,447		3,447		—		—		3,447
Derivative assets	75,751		75,751		—		75,751		—

Financial liabilities
Non-interest-bearing deposits	$	9,144,315	$	9,144,315	$	—	$	9,144,315	$	—
Non-time interest-bearing deposits	18,345,758		18,345,758		—		18,345,758		—
Time deposits	10,585,117		10,592,682		—		10,592,682		—
Total deposits	$	38,075,190	$	38,082,755	$	—	$	38,082,755	$	—
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	314,383		314,383		314,383		—		—
Other short-term borrowings	853,000		853,000		—		853,000		—
Long-term debt	2,106,037		2,119,630		—		2,119,630		—
Earnout liability	14,353		14,353		—		—		14,353
Derivative liabilities	24,927		24,927		—		23,561		1,366



	December 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	$	1,143,564	$	1,143,564	$	1,143,564	$	—	$	—
Trading securities	3,130		3,130		1,128		2,002		—
Mortgage loans held for sale	37,129		37,129		—		37,129		—
Other loans for sale	1,506		1,506		—		—		1,506
Investment securities available for sale	3,991,632		3,991,632		122,077		3,867,770		1,785
Private equity investments	11,028		11,028		—		—		11,028
Mutual funds	3,168		3,168		3,168		—		—
Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts	12,844		12,844		12,844		—		—
Loans, net	25,696,018		25,438,890		—		—		25,438,890
GGL/SBA loans servicing asset	3,729		3,729		—		—		3,729
Derivative assets	19,332		19,332		—		19,332		—

Financial liabilities
Non-interest-bearing deposits	$	7,650,967	$	7,650,967	$	—	$	7,650,967	$	—
Non-time interest-bearing deposits	14,065,959		14,065,959		—		14,065,959		—
Time deposits	5,003,396		4,989,570		—		4,989,570		—
Total deposits	$	26,720,322	$	26,706,496	$	—	$	26,706,496	$	—
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	237,692		237,692		237,692		—		—
Other short-term borrowings	650,000		650,000		—		650,000		—
Long-term debt	1,657,157		1,649,642		—		1,649,642		—
Earnout liability	14,353		14,353		—		—		14,353
Derivative liabilities	18,208		18,208		—		16,535		1,673

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Note 8 - Derivative Instruments

As part of its overall interest rate risk management activities, Synovus utilizes derivative instruments to manage its exposure to various types of interest rate risk. These derivative instruments generally consist of interest rate swaps, interest rate lock commitments made to prospective mortgage loan customers, and commitments to sell fixed-rate mortgage loans. Interest rate lock commitments represent derivative instruments since it is intended that such loans will be sold. Synovus may also utilize interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risks primarily arising from its core banking activities. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Synovus had no outstanding interest rate swap contracts utilized to manage interest rate risk related to core banking activities. Synovus is party to master netting arrangements with its dealer counterparties; however, Synovus does not offset assets and liabilities under these arrangements for financial statement presentation purposes.

Counterparty Credit Risk and Collateral

Entering into derivative contracts potentially exposes Synovus to the risk of counterparties’ failure to fulfill their legal obligations, including, but not limited to, potential amounts due or payable under each derivative contract. Notional principal amounts are often used to express the volume of these transactions, but the amounts potentially subject to credit risk are much smaller. Synovus assesses the credit risk of its dealer counterparties by regularly monitoring publicly available credit rating information, evaluating other market indicators, and periodically reviewing detailed financials. Dealer collateral requirements are determined via risk-based policies and procedures and in accordance with existing agreements. Synovus seeks to minimize dealer credit risk by dealing with highly rated counterparties and by obtaining collateral for exposures above certain predetermined limits. Management closely monitors credit conditions within the customer swap portfolio, which management deems to be of higher risk than dealer counterparties. Collateral is secured at origination and credit-related fair value adjustments are recorded against the asset value of the derivative as deemed necessary based upon an analysis, which includes consideration of the current asset value of the swap, customer credit rating, collateral value, and customer standing with regards to its swap contractual obligations and other related matters. Such asset values fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates regardless of changes in notional amounts and changes in customer specific risk.

Collateral Requirements

Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivative transactions have collateral requirements, both at the inception of the trade and as the value of each derivative position changes. As of March 31, 2019, collateral totaling $64.2 million was pledged to the derivative counterparties to comply with collateral requirements. For derivatives cleared through central clearing houses, the variation margin payments made are legally characterized as settlements of the derivatives. As a result, these variation margin payments are netted against the fair value of the respective derivative contracts in the balance sheet and related disclosures. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Synovus had a variation margin of $51.9 million and $3.1 million respectively, each reducing the derivative liability.

The following table reflects the notional amount and fair value of derivative instruments included on the consolidated balance sheets including derivatives acquired from FCB.

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	March 31, 2019						December 31, 2018
			Fair Value						Fair Value
(in thousands)	Notional Amount		Derivative Assets ⁽¹⁾		Derivative Liabilities ⁽²⁾		Notional Amount		Derivative Assets ⁽¹⁾		Derivative Liabilities ⁽²⁾
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate contracts⁽³⁾	$	5,403,031	$	74,114	$	22,755	$	1,840,288	18,388		$	15,716
Mortgage derivatives - interest rate lock commitments	95,053		1,637		—		52,420		944		—
Mortgage derivatives - forward commitments to sell fixed-rate mortgage loans	93,500		—		806		65,500		—		819
Visa derivative	—		—		1,366		—		—		1,673
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			$	75,751	$	24,927			$	19,332	$	18,208

⁽¹⁾ Derivative assets are recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

⁽²⁾ Derivative liabilities are recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

⁽³⁾ Includes interest rate contracts for customer swaps and offsetting positions, net of variation margin payments.

The pre-tax effect of changes in fair value from derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is presented below.



		Gain (Loss) Recognized in Consolidated Statements of Income
		Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	Location in Consolidated Statements of Income	2019			2018
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate contracts⁽¹⁾	Other non-interest income	$	(130	)	$	7
Mortgage derivatives - interest rate lock commitments	Mortgage banking income	693			735
Mortgage derivatives - forward commitments to sell fixed-rate mortgage loans	Mortgage banking income	13			192
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	576		$	934

⁽¹⁾ Gain (loss) represents net fair value adjustments (including credit-related adjustments) for customer swaps and offsetting positions.

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Note 9 - Net Income Per Common Share

The following table displays a reconciliation of the information used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2019		2018
Basic Net Income Per Common Share:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	117,036	$	100,607
Weighted average common shares outstanding	160,927		118,666
Net income per common share, basic	$	0.73	$	0.85
Diluted Net Income Per Common Share:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	117,036	$	100,607
Weighted average common shares outstanding	160,927		118,666
Effect of dilutive outstanding equity-based awards, warrants, and earnout payments	1,833		655
Weighted average diluted common shares	162,760		119,321
Net income per common share, diluted	$	0.72	$	0.84

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, restricted share units, and warrants is reflected in diluted net income per common share, unless the impact is anti-dilutive, by application of the treasury stock method.

As of March 31, 2019, there were 40 thousand of potentially dilutive shares related to stock options to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding during 2019, and as of March 31, 2018, there were 2.2 million potentially dilutive shares related to the Warrant to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding during 2018. Potentially dilutive shares are not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

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Note 10 - Share-based Compensation

As a result of the FCB acquisition on January 1, 2019, Synovus assumed 3.2 million outstanding FCB stock option awards and 136 thousand outstanding FCB restricted stock unit awards. Per the Merger Agreement, each stock option and restricted share unit outstanding on the Acquisition Date was assumed and converted into a stock option or restricted stock unit award relating to shares of Synovus common stock, with the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such award prior to the acquisition. The converted options and restricted share units had a fair value of $41.5 million on the Acquisition Date, of which $4.2 million was allocated to compensation expense and the remaining to purchase price. The estimated fair value of the converted restricted share units was based on Synovus' closing stock price on December 31, 2018, and the estimated fair value of the converted stock options was determined using a Hull-White model in a binomial lattice option pricing framework. Additionally, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, certain outstanding FCB non-vested equity awards with a fair value of $7.4 million on the Acquisition Date, accelerated vesting and converted automatically into the right to receive merger consideration at the merger exchange ratio of 1.055, or an equivalent amount in cash, of which $3.8 million was allocated to merger-related compensation expense and the remaining to purchase price.

The following tables summarize the status of Synovus' stock options, restricted share units, market restricted share units, and performance share units as of March 31, 2019, and activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019.



	Stock Options
(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)	Quantity		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding at January 1, 2019	640		$	16.93
Assumed	3,230		23.22
Exercised	(361	)	19.36
Outstanding at March 31, 2019	3,509		$	22.47



	Restricted Share Units				Market Restricted Share Units				Performance Share Units
(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)	Quantity		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share		Quantity		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share		Quantity		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at January 1, 2019	526		$	41.18	144		$	41.91	248		$	38.29
Granted	438		36.60		151		36.53		140		37.34
Assumed	136		31.99		—		—		—		—
Quantity change by TSR factor	—		—		(18	)	38.11		—		—
Dividend equivalents granted	3		36.60		—		—		8		37.34
Vested	(236	)	37.09		(55	)	38.11		(93	)	26.35
Forfeited	(6	)	41.18		—		—		—		—
Non-vested at March 31, 2019	861		$	38.50	222		$	39.50	303		$	41.50

Total share-based compensation expense recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is presented in the following table by its classification within total non-interest expense.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2019		2018
Salaries and other personnel expense	$	6,312	$	3,773
Merger-related expense	3,806		—
Other operating expenses	126		182
Total share-based compensation expense included in non-interest expense	$	10,244	$	3,955

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Note 11 - Leases

Synovus’ leasing activities are primarily comprised of real estate leases used for retail branch locations and office space for core administrative and operating activities of Synovus’ banking and financial services business, and to a significantly lesser extent, certain equipment. The majority of these leases provide for fixed lease payments, including periodic escalators which are fixed at lease inception, however, a number of leases provide for variable lease payments where periodic increases in payment amounts are indexed to a consumer price index (CPI). Many leases include one or more options to renew which generally range from one to five years. Optional extension periods which are reasonably certain to be exercised in the future were included in the measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities. Synovus’ leasing arrangements do not contain any material residual value guarantees, material restrictive covenants, or material end of lease purchase options.

The following table presents the lease balances within the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2019:



Leases
(in thousands)	Classification	March 31, 2019
Assets
Operating	Other Assets	$	378,903
Finance	Premises and Equipment, net⁽¹⁾	3,457
Total leased assets		$	382,360
Liabilities
Operating	Other Liabilities	385,734
Finance	Other Liabilities	3,229
Total lease liabilities		$	388,963

⁽¹⁾Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $224 thousand as of March 31, 2019.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the components of lease expense were as follows:



Lease Cost
(in thousands)	Classification	March 31, 2019
Operating lease cost, net⁽¹⁾	Net occupancy and equipment expense	$	8,171
Finance lease cost
Amortization of leased assets	Net occupancy and equipment expense	224
Interest on lease liabilities	Net occupancy and equipment expense	20
Sublease income⁽²⁾	Net occupancy and equipment expense	(166		)
Net lease cost		$	8,249

⁽¹⁾Excludes variable and short-term lease costs, which are not material.

⁽²⁾Sublease income excludes rental income from owned properties of $594 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019 which is also included in net occupancy and equipment expenses.

The following table presents the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rates related to Synovus' leases as of March 31, 2019:



Lease Term and Discount Rate
	Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)	Weighted-average discount rate (percentage)
Operating leases	21.6	3.55	%
Finance leases	4.4	2.45

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Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's leasing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are as follows:



Other Information
(in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	(7,461	)
Operating cash flows from finance leases	(20		)
Financing cash flows from finance leases	(178		)

The following table presents the maturity of the Company’s lease liabilities as of March 31, 2019:



Maturity of Lease Liabilities
(in thousands)	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Total
2019	$	22,242	$	692	$	22,934
2020	29,454		871		30,325
2021	28,000		839		28,839
2022	27,280		465		27,745
2023	25,704		180		25,884
After 2023	433,753		343		434,096
Total lease payments	$	566,433	$	3,390	$	569,823
Less: Imputed interest	180,699		161		180,860
Present value of lease liabilities	$	385,734	$	3,229	$	388,963

As of March 31, 2019, minimum lease payments related to operating leases that had not yet commenced were $20.6 million.

Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, Synovus enters into commitments to extend credit such as loan commitments and letters of credit to meet the financing needs of its customers. Synovus uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Synovus also has commitments to fund certain low income housing investments.

The contractual amount of these financial instruments represents Synovus' maximum credit risk should the counterparty draw upon the commitment, and should the counterparty subsequently fail to perform according to the terms of the contract. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Additionally, certain commitments (primarily consumer) can generally be canceled by providing notice to the borrower.

The allowance for credit losses associated with unfunded commitments and letters of credit is a component of the unfunded commitments reserve recorded within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, unearned fees relating to letters of credit are recorded within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. These amounts are not material to Synovus' consolidated balance sheets.

Synovus invests in certain low income housing tax credit partnerships which are engaged in the development and operation of affordable multi-family housing utilizing the LIHTC pursuant to Section 42 of the Code. Synovus typically acts as a limited partner in these investments and does not exert control over the operating or financial policies of the partnerships and as such, is not considered the primary beneficiary of the partnership. Synovus typically provides financing during the construction and development of the properties and is at risk for the amount of its equity investment plus the outstanding amount of any construction loans in excess of the fair value of the collateral for the loan but has no obligation to fund the operations or working capital of the partnerships and are not exposed to losses beyond Synovus’ investment. Synovus receives tax credits related to these investments

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which are subject to recapture by taxing authorities based on compliance features required to be met at the project level.



(in thousands)	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Letters of credit*	$	212,696	$	157,675
Commitments to fund commercial and industrial loans	5,823,618		5,527,017
Commitments to fund commercial real estate, construction, and land development loans	3,016,716		2,034,223
Commitments under home equity lines of credit	1,396,313		1,258,657
Unused credit card lines	833,990		775,003
Other loan commitments	639,049		400,983
Total unfunded lending commitments and letters of credit	$	11,922,382	$	10,153,558



Investments in low income housing tax credit partnerships:
Carrying amount included in other assets	$	81,611	$	83,736
Amount of future funding commitments included in carrying amount	33,463		47,123
Short-term construction loans and letter of credit commitments	259		1,585
Funded portion of short-term loans and letters of credit	2,822		5,595

* Represent the contractual amount net of risk participations of approximately $39 million and $46 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Merchant Services

In accordance with credit and debit card association rules, Synovus sponsors MPS that process credit and debit card transactions on behalf of various merchants. In connection with these services, a liability may arise in the event of a billing dispute between the merchant and a cardholder that is ultimately resolved in the cardholder's favor. If the merchant defaults on its obligations, the cardholder, through its issuing bank, generally has until six months after the date of the transaction to present a chargeback to the merchant processor, which is primarily liable for any losses on covered transactions. However, if the merchant processor fails to meet its obligations, then Synovus, as the sponsor, could be held liable for the disputed amount. Synovus seeks to mitigate this risk through its contractual arrangements with the MPS and the merchants by withholding future settlements, retaining cash reserve accounts and/or obtaining other security. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the sponsored entities processed and settled $17.71 billion and $16.72 billion of transactions, respectively.

Synovus began covering and has continued to cover chargebacks related to a particular MPS during 2019 and 2018 where the MPS’s cash reserve account was unavailable to support the chargebacks. As of March 31, 2019, Synovus had advanced $23.5 million to the MPS to cover these chargebacks. While Synovus has contractual protections against loss, repayment of such amounts will depend upon the continued financial viability and/or valuation of the MPS and the favorable resolution of any resulting disputes over the funds.

Legal Proceedings

Synovus and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, Synovus and its subsidiaries are subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, tax matters, inquiries and investigations. Synovus, like many other financial institutions, has been the target of numerous legal actions and other proceedings asserting claims for damages and related relief for losses. These actions include claims and counterclaims asserted by individuals related to loans and allegations of violations of state and federal laws and regulations relating to banking practices, including putative class action matters and also claims asserted by shareholders or purported shareholders against Synovus, members of Synovus' Board of Directors, and members of Synovus' management team. In addition to actual damages, if Synovus does not prevail in asserted legal actions, credit-related litigation could result in additional write-downs or charge-offs of loans, which could adversely affect Synovus' results of operations during the period in which the write-down or charge-off were to occur.

Synovus carefully examines and considers each legal matter, and, in those situations where Synovus determines that a particular legal matter presents loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable, Synovus establishes an appropriate reserve. An event is considered to be probable if the future event is likely to occur. While the final outcome of any legal proceeding is inherently uncertain, based on the information currently available, advice of counsel and available insurance coverage, management believes that the amounts accrued with respect to legal matters as of March 31, 2019 are adequate. The actual costs of resolving legal claims may be higher or lower than the amounts accrued.

In addition, where Synovus determines that there is a reasonable possibility of a loss in respect of legal matters, Synovus considers whether it is able to estimate the total reasonably possible loss or range of loss. An event is “reasonably possible” if “the

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chance of the future event or events occurring is more than remote but less than likely.” An event is “remote” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is more than slight but less than reasonably possible." In many situations, Synovus may be unable to estimate reasonably possible losses due to the preliminary nature of the legal matters, as well as a variety of other factors and uncertainties. For those legal matters where Synovus is able to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses, management currently estimates the aggregate range from our outstanding litigation is from zero to $5 million in excess of the amounts accrued, if any, related to those matters. This estimated aggregate range is based upon information currently available to Synovus, and the actual losses could prove to be lower or higher. As there are further developments in these legal matters, Synovus will reassess these matters, and the estimated range of reasonably possible losses may change as a result of this assessment. Based on Synovus' current knowledge and advice of counsel, management presently does not believe that the liabilities arising from these legal matters will have a material adverse effect on Synovus' consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these legal matters could have a material adverse effect on Synovus' results of operations for any particular period.

Synovus intends to vigorously pursue all available defenses to these legal matters, but will also consider other alternatives, including settlement, in situations where there is an opportunity to resolve such legal matters on terms that Synovus considers to be favorable, including in light of the continued expense and distraction of defending such legal matters. Synovus maintains insurance coverage, which may be available to cover legal fees, or potential losses that might be incurred in connection with such legal matters. The above-noted estimated range of reasonably possible losses does not take into consideration insurance coverage which may or may not be available for the respective legal matters.

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ITEM 2. – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In this Report, the words “Synovus,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Synovus Financial Corp. together with Synovus Bank and Synovus' other wholly-owned subsidiaries, except where the context requires otherwise.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this Report which are not statements of historical fact, including those under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this Report, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to Synovus' beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, targets, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance and involve known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond Synovus' control and which may cause Synovus' actual results, performance or achievements or the financial services industry or economy generally, to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through Synovus' use of words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “assumes,” “predicts,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “intends,” “targets,” “estimates,” “projects,” “plans,” “potential” and other similar words and expressions of the future or otherwise regarding the outlook for Synovus' future business and financial performance and/or the performance of the financial services industry and economy in general. Forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of Synovus' management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements in this document. Many of these factors are beyond Synovus' ability to control or predict. These factors include, but are not limited to:



(1)		the risk that competition in the financial services industry may adversely affect our future earnings and growth;



(2)		the risk that we may not realize the expected benefits from our efficiency and growth initiatives, which could negatively impact our future profitability;



(3)		that we may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of the Merger, or those benefits may take longer to realize than expected, and that we may encounter significant difficulties in integrating FCB;



(4)		the risk that our current and future information technology system enhancements and operational initiatives may not be successfully implemented, which could negatively impact our operations;



(5)		the risk that our enterprise risk management framework, our compliance program, or our corporate governance and supervisory oversight functions may not identify or address risks adequately, which may result in unexpected losses;



(6)		the risk that our asset quality may deteriorate, our allowance for loan losses may prove to be inadequate or may be negatively affected by credit risk exposures, and the risk that we may be unable to obtain full payment in respect of any trade or other receivables;



(7)		the risk that any future economic downturn could have a material adverse effect on our capital, financial condition, results of operations and future growth;



(8)		our ability to attract and retain key employees;



(9)		the risk that we may be required to make substantial expenditures to keep pace with regulatory initiatives and the rapid technological changes in the financial services market;



(10)		risks related to our business relationships with, and reliance upon, third parties that have strategic partnerships with us or that provide key components of our business infrastructure, including the costs of services and products provided to us by third parties, and risks related to disruptions in service or financial difficulties with a third-party vendor or business relationship;



(11)		risks related to the ability of our operational framework to identify and manage risks associated with our business such as credit risk, compliance risk, reputational risk, and operational risk, including third-party vendors and other service providers;

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(12)		our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks such as data security breaches, malware, "denial of service" attacks, "hacking" and identity theft, a failure of which could disrupt our business and result in the disclosure of and/or misuse or misappropriation of confidential or proprietary information, disruption or damage of our systems, increased costs, significant losses, or adverse effects to our reputation;



(13)		the risk related to our implementation of new lines of business or new products and services;



(14)		changes in interest rate environment, including changes to the federal funds rate, and competition in our primary market area may result in increased funding costs or reduced earning assets yields, thus reducing margins and net interest income;



(15)		the impact of recent and proposed changes in governmental policy, laws and regulations, including proposed and recently enacted changes in the regulation and taxation of banks and financial institutions, or the interpretation or application thereof and the uncertainty of future implementation and enforcement of these regulations;



(16)		the risk that we may be exposed to potential losses in the event of fraud and/or theft, or in the event that a third-party vendor, obligor, or business partner fails to pay amounts due to us under that relationship or under any arrangement that we enter into with them;



(17)		the risk that we may not be able to identify suitable bank and non-bank acquisition opportunities as part of our growth strategy and even if we are able to identify attractive acquisition opportunities, we may not be able to complete such transactions on favorable terms or realize anticipated benefits from such transactions;



(18)		the impact on our financial results, reputation, and business if we are unable to comply with all applicable federal and state regulations or other supervisory actions or directives and any necessary capital initiatives;



(19)		changes in the cost and availability of funding due to changes in the deposit market and credit market;



(20)		the risks that if economic conditions worsen or regulatory capital rules are modified, we may be required to undertake initiatives to improve our capital position;



(21)		restrictions or limitations on access to funds from historical and alternative sources of liquidity could adversely affect our overall liquidity, which could restrict our ability to make payments on our obligations and our ability to support asset growth and sustain our operations and the operations of Synovus Bank;



(22)		the risk that we could realize losses if we sell non-performing assets and the proceeds we receive are lower than the carrying value of such assets;



(23)		our ability to receive dividends from our subsidiaries could affect our liquidity, including our ability to pay dividends or take other capital actions;



(24)		risks related to regulatory approval to take certain actions, including any dividends on our common stock or Series D Preferred Stock, any repurchases of common stock or any issuance or redemption of any other regulatory capital instruments, as well as any applications in respect of expansionary initiatives;



(25)		risks related to the continued use, availability and reliability of LIBOR and other "benchmark" rates;



(26)		the risk that Federal Tax Reform could have an adverse impact on our business or our customers, including with respect to demand and pricing for our loan products;



(27)		the costs and effects of litigation, investigations, inquiries or similar matters, or adverse facts and developments related thereto;



(28)		risks related to the fluctuation in our stock price;



(29)		the effects of any damages to our reputation resulting from developments related to any of the items identified above; and



(30)		other factors and other information contained in this Report and in other reports and filings that we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, those found in "Part I - Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this Report.

For a discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, refer to “Part I-Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other information contained in Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K and our other periodic filings, including quarterly

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reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, that we file from time to time with the SEC. All written or oral forward-looking statements that are made by or are attributable to Synovus are expressly qualified by this cautionary notice. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements since those statements speak only as of the date on which the statements are made. Synovus undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information and statements, whether oral or written, to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of new information or unanticipated events, except as may otherwise be required by law.

INTRODUCTION AND CORPORATE PROFILE

Synovus Financial Corp. is a financial services company and a registered bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Georgia. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Synovus Bank, a Georgia state-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, the company provides commercial and retail banking in addition to a full suite of specialized products and services including private banking, treasury management, wealth management, premium finance and international banking. Synovus also provides mortgage services, financial planning, and investment advisory services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Synovus Mortgage, Synovus Trust, and Synovus Securities, as well as its GLOBALT and Creative Financial Group divisions.

Synovus Bank is positioned in some of the highest growth markets in the Southeast, with 300 branches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The following financial review summarizes the significant trends, changes in our business, transactions, and other matters affecting Synovus’ results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and financial condition as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. This discussion supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Report and the consolidated financial statements of Synovus, the notes thereto, and management’s discussion and analysis contained in Synovus’ 2018 Form 10-K.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations consists of:


Ÿ	Discussion of Results of Operations - Reviews Synovus' financial performance, as well as selected balance sheet items, items from the statements of income, significant transactions, and certain key ratios that illustrate Synovus' performance.


Ÿ	Credit Quality, Capital Resources and Liquidity - Discusses credit quality, market risk, capital resources, and liquidity, as well as performance trends. It also includes a discussion of liquidity policies, how Synovus obtains funding, and related performance.


Ÿ	Additional Disclosures - Discusses additional important matters including critical accounting policies and non-GAAP financial measures used within this Report.

A reading of each section is important to understand fully our financial performance.

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DISCUSSION OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS



Table 1 - Consolidated Financial Highlights
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	2019			2018			Change
Net interest income	$	397,175		$	274,284		44.8	%
Provision for loan losses	23,569			12,776			84.5
Non-interest income	79,378			67,046			18.4
Adjusted non-interest income⁽¹⁾	78,445			70,102			11.9
Total revenues	476,554			341,330			39.6
Adjusted total revenues⁽¹⁾	476,250			344,502			38.2
Non-interest expense	292,410			195,179			49.8
Adjusted non-interest expense⁽¹⁾	242,653			198,120			22.5
Income before income taxes	160,574			133,375			20.4
Net income	120,186			103,166			16.5
Net income available to common shareholders	117,036			100,607			16.3
Net income per common share, basic	0.73			0.85			(14.2	)
Net income per common share, diluted	0.72			0.84			(14.7	)
Adjusted net income per common share, diluted⁽¹⁾	0.98			0.86			15.1
Net interest margin⁽²⁾	3.78		%	3.78		%	—
Net charge-off ratio⁽²⁾	0.19			0.07			12
Return on average assets⁽²⁾	1.06			1.34			(28	)
Adjusted return on average assets⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	1.45			1.36			9
Efficiency ratio	61.29			57.16			413
Adjusted tangible efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾	50.24			57.42			(718	)

⁽¹⁾See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Report for the applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.

⁽²⁾Annualized



	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018			Sequential Quarter Change			March 31, 2018			Year-Over-Year Change
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018			Sequential Quarter Change			March 31, 2018			Year-Over-Year Change
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs	$	35,634,501		$	25,946,573		$	9,687,928		$	24,883,037		$	10,751,464
Total average loans	35,320,014			25,626,249			9,693,765			24,852,399			10,467,615
Total deposits	38,075,190			26,720,322			11,354,868			26,253,507			11,821,683
Total core deposits⁽¹⁾	35,366,186			25,172,292			10,193,894			24,246,930			11,119,256
Total average deposits	37,826,952			26,920,101			10,906,851			25,788,073			12,038,879
Non-performing assets ratio⁽³⁾	0.44		%	0.44		%	—			0.53		%	(9		)bps
Non-performing loans ratio⁽³⁾	0.40			0.41			(1		)	0.48			(8		)
Past due loans over 90 days	0.01			0.01			—			0.02			(1		)
CET1 capital (transitional)	$	3,790,395		$	2,897,997		$	892,398		$	2,814,494		$	975,901
Tier 1 capital	3,985,535			3,090,416			895,119			2,924,109			1,061,426
Total risk-based capital	4,803,641			3,601,376			1,202,265			3,442,921			1,360,720
CET1 capital ratio (transitional)	9.52		%	9.95		%	(43		)bps	10.13		%	(61		)bps
Tier 1 capital ratio	10.01			10.61			(60		)	10.53			(52		)
Total risk-based capital ratio	12.06			12.37			(31		)	12.39			(33		)
Total shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio	9.86			9.59			27			9.39			47
Tangible common equity ratio⁽¹⁾	8.34			8.81			(47		)	8.79			(45		)
Return on average common equity⁽²⁾	10.98			14.25			(327		)	14.62			(364		)
Adjusted return on average common equity⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	15.03			14.96			7			14.82			21
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	17.52			15.36			216			15.23			229

⁽¹⁾See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Report for the applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.

⁽²⁾Quarter annualized

⁽³⁾For purposes of this table, March 31, 2019 non-performing loans exclude acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 that are currently accruing income.

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Executive Summary

Net income available to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2019 was $117.0 million, or $0.72 per diluted common share, an increase of 16.3% and decline of 14.7%, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted net income per common share, diluted⁽¹⁾ was $0.98 for the first quarter of 2019, up 15.1% compared to $0.86 for the first quarter of 2018. Results for the first quarter of 2019 include the impact of the merger with FCB, which closed on January 1, 2019. Synovus incurred $49.7 million in pre-tax merger-related expenses associated with the FCB acquisition, which impacted EPS by $0.27. On the Acquisition Date, the preliminary estimated fair values of FCB included approximately $12.4 billion of identifiable assets, $9.3 billion in loans, and $10.9 billion in deposits. Excluding the impact of acquired balances, the first quarter of 2019 results were positively impacted with period-end organic loan and deposit growth of $400.1 million and $423.7 million, respectively. Return on average assets for the first quarter of 2019 was 1.06%, down 28 basis points from the first quarter of 2018, and the adjusted return on average assets⁽¹⁾ was 1.45%, up 9 basis points from the first quarter of 2018.

On a sequential quarter basis, net interest income increased $99.2 million, or 33.3%, and compared to the same quarter in 2018, net interest income increased $122.9 million, or 44.8%, driven by the FCB acquisition. The net interest margin for the quarter was 3.78%, down 14 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2018. Net interest income and margin were favorably impacted by $18.8 million, or 19 basis points, of purchase accounting adjustments. Purchase accounting adjustments are primarily comprised of $7.4 million of loan accretion and $11.0 million of deposit premium amortization in the first quarter of 2019. The sequential quarter decrease in the net interest margin was driven by the FCB merger, the issuance of subordinated debt, and continued deposit mix shift into time deposits. The net interest margin, excluding the impact of purchase accounting adjustments was 3.59% for the first quarter of 2019. The net interest margin decline for the quarter, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, included an 11 basis point increase in earning asset yields and a 25 basis point increase in the effective cost of funds.

Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2019 was $79.4 million, up $12.3 million, or 18.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2018. The acquisition of FCB contributed approximately $7.3 million of non-interest income in the first quarter of 2019. Adjusted non-interest income⁽¹⁾, which excludes investment securities gains/(losses), net and changes in fair value of private equity investments, was up $8.3 million, or 11.9%, for the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018.

Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2019 was $292.4 million, up $97.2 million, or 49.8%, compared to the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted non-interest expense⁽¹⁾, which excludes merger-related expense of $49.7 million, was $242.7 million, up $44.5 million, or 22.5%, compared to the first quarter of 2018, including $26.8 million related to the operations of FCB and $3.1 million in additional amortization of intangibles. The efficiency ratio for the first three months of 2019 was 61.29%, compared to 57.16% for the first three months of 2018. The adjusted tangible efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾ for the first three months of 2019 was 50.24%, down 718 basis points from the same period a year ago.

Synovus continued to benefit from a relatively stable credit environment with the non-performing assets ratio at 44 basis points, non-performing loans ratio at 40 basis points, and total past due loans at 25 basis points. Additionally, loans past due 90 days or more remain at an insignificant level. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2019 were $17.1 million, or 0.19%, as a percentage of average loans annualized, compared to $13.0 million, or 0.20%, and $4.3 million, or 0.07%, for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in net charge-offs was primarily attributable to a higher level of recoveries in the previous and prior year quarters, with gross charge-offs for the first quarter of 2019 remaining in-line with the fourth quarter of 2018 but slightly elevated from the first quarter of 2018. For the first quarter of 2019, the provision for loan losses was $23.6 million, an increase of $11.4 million, or 94.0%, and $10.8 million, or 84.5%, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in provision expense was driven by an accelerated rate of new and renewed loan production with the addition of FCB, increases to the loan loss reserve, and a lower level of recoveries and upgrades compared to previous quarters in 2018. The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2019 was $257.0 million, or 0.72% of total loans, compared to $250.6 million, or 0.97% of total loans, at December 31, 2018 and $257.8 million, or 1.04% of total loans, at March 31, 2018, reflecting a lower ratio at March 31, 2019, with no allowance for loan losses recorded for acquired loans at the Acquisition Date in accordance with ASC Topic 820.

At March 31, 2019, total loans were $35.63 billion, an increase of $9.69 billion, or 37.3% and $10.75 billion or 43.2%, compared to December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively, including acquired loan balances from FCB of $9.29 billion and broad-based organic growth of $400.1 million compared to December 31, 2018. The mix within the loan portfolio has shifted slightly as a result of the consolidation with FCB, but it remains in-line with the targets indicated in our strategic plan. C&I loans remain the largest component of our balance sheet representing 45% of total loans, while CRE and consumer loans represent 29%, and 26%, respectively.

Total period-end deposits at March 31, 2019 increased $11.35 billion, or 42.5%, compared to December 31, 2018, including $10.93 billion in deposits acquired from FCB and $423.7 million of organic growth. The organic growth was driven largely by the continued market preference for time deposits, which increased $614.6 million. Time deposits, excluding brokered time deposits, now represent 22.8% of Synovus' deposit base following the acquisition of FCB.

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During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $400 million, of which $320.0 million was repurchased during the first quarter of 2019. Additionally, the Board of Directors approved a 20% increase in the quarterly common stock dividend to $0.30 per share, effective with the quarterly dividend payable in April 2019. On February 7, 2019, Synovus completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.900% fixed-to-fixed rate subordinated notes due in 2029. Proceeds from these notes were primarily used to repurchase common stock under the current authorization. At March 31, 2019, Synovus' regulatory capital levels continue to be well above regulatory capital requirements with a CET1 ratio of 9.52%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 10.01%, a total risk-based capital ratio of 12.06%, and a leverage ratio of 8.81%.

More detail on Synovus' financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 can be found in subsequent sections of "Item 2. – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Report.

2019 Outlook

For the full year 2019, compared to 2018 results on a pro forma combined basis for Synovus and FCB, previously stated 2019 guidance remains unchanged:


•	Loan growth of 5.5% to 7.5%


•	Deposit growth of 5.5% to 7.5%


•	Revenue Growth of 5.5% to 7.5%


•	Adjusted tangible non-interest expense growth of 2% to 4%


•	Effective income tax rate of 23% to 24%


•	Net charge-off ratio of 15 to 20 bps

⁽¹⁾ See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this Report for applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.

Changes in Financial Condition

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, total assets increased $13.96 billion from $32.67 billion at December 31, 2018 to $46.63 billion, due primarily to the acquisition of FCB on January 1, 2019. On the Acquisition Date, the preliminary estimated fair values of FCB included approximately $12.4 billion of identifiable assets, $9.3 billion in loans, and $10.9 billion in deposits. Additionally, based on preliminary purchase price allocations, goodwill increased by $427.7 million. Excluding the acquired balances of FCB, investment securities available for sale increased $515.6 million and loans increased $400.1 million. Excluding the acquired balances of FCB, an increase of $423.7 million in deposits and a combined increase of $498.6 million in other short-term borrowings and long-term debt provided the funding source for the growth in assets. The net loan to deposit ratio was 93.6% at March 31, 2019, compared to 97.1% at December 31, 2018, and 94.8% at March 31, 2018.

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Loans

The following table compares the composition of the loan portfolio at March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, and March 31, 2018.



Table 2 - Loans by Portfolio Class
	March 31, 2019								December 31, 2018			Linked Quarter % Change		March 31, 2018			Year/Year % Change
(dollars in thousands)	Total Loans			Total Originated Loans			Total Acquired⁽¹⁾ Loans		Total Loans			Linked Quarter % Change		Total Loans			Year/Year % Change
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$	9,547,816		$	7,661,252		$	1,886,564	$	7,449,698		28.2	%	$	7,191,531		32.8	%
Owner-occupied	6,560,681			5,375,678			1,185,003		5,331,508			23.1		4,910,386			33.6
Total commercial and industrial	16,108,497			13,036,930			3,071,567		12,781,206			26.0		12,101,917			33.1
Investment properties	8,916,780			5,720,945			3,195,835		5,560,951			60.3		5,619,050			58.7
1-4 family properties	765,001			657,799			107,202		679,870			12.5		758,904			0.8
Land and development	580,591			343,187			237,404		323,670			79.4		457,773			26.8
Total commercial real estate	10,262,372			6,721,931			3,540,441		6,564,491			56.3		6,835,727			50.1
Consumer mortgages	5,390,821			3,044,207			2,346,614		2,934,235			83.7		2,663,371			102.4
Home equity lines	1,606,227			1,540,726			65,501		1,515,796			6.0		1,472,471			9.1
Credit cards	252,762			252,762			—		258,245			(2.1	)	226,713			11.5
Other consumer loans	2,037,477			2,023,693			13,784		1,916,743			6.3		1,606,799			26.8
Total consumer	9,287,287			6,861,388			2,425,899		6,625,019			40.2		5,969,354			55.6
Deferred fees and costs, net	(23,655		)	(23,655		)	—		(24,143		)	(2.0	)	(23,961		)	(1.3	)
Total loans	$	35,634,501		$	26,596,594		$	9,037,907	$	25,946,573		37.3	%	$	24,883,037		43.2	%

⁽¹⁾Represents $9.29 billion (at fair value) of loans acquired from FCB, net of payments since acquisition date.

At March 31, 2019, total loans were $35.63 billion, an increase of $9.69 billion, or 37.3% and $10.75 billion or 43.2%, compared to December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively, including acquired loan balances from FCB of $9.29 billion. Excluding acquired FCB balances, period-end loans increased $400.1 million compared to December 31, 2018, with growth of $184.7 million in consumer loans, $151.5 million in CRE loans, and $55.9 million in C&I loans. FCB contributed approximately $214 million in organic growth during the first quarter. The mix within the loan portfolio has shifted slightly as a result of the consolidation with FCB, but it remains in-line with the targets indicated in our strategic plan. C&I loans remain the largest component of our balance sheet representing 45.2% of total loans, while CRE and consumer loans represent 28.8%, and 26.0%, respectively.

Commercial Loans

Total commercial loans (which are comprised of C&I and CRE loans) at March 31, 2019 were $26.37 billion or 74.0% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $19.35 billion, or 74.5%, at December 31, 2018 and $18.94 billion, or 76.0%, at March 31, 2018.

At March 31, 2019, Synovus had 7 commercial loan relationships with total commitments of $100 million or more, with no single relationship exceeding $130 million in commitments.

Commercial and Industrial Loans

The C&I loan portfolio represents the largest category of Synovus' total loan portfolio. The following table shows the composition of the C&I loan portfolio aggregated by NAICS code. In accordance with Synovus' lending policy, each loan undergoes a detailed underwriting process which incorporates uniform underwriting standards and oversight in proportion to the size and complexity of the lending relationship. As of March 31, 2019, approximately 93% of Synovus' C&I loans are secured by real estate, business equipment, inventory, and other types of collateral. C&I loans of $16.11 billion, representing 45.2% of the total loan portfolio, grew $3.33 billion, or 26.0% from December 31, 2018 and $4.01 billion, or 33.1%, from March 31, 2018 including acquired loan balances from FCB of $3.27 billion. Excluding acquired FCB balances, growth was $55.9 million and driven by lending specialties including ABL and insurance-premium finance. These gains were partially offset by a small decline in senior housing as well as a seasonal decline in commercial line utilization.

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Table 3 - Commercial and Industrial Loans by Industry
	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
(dollars in thousands)	Amount		%⁽¹⁾		Amount		%⁽¹⁾
Health care and social assistance	$	3,063,354	19.0	%	$	3,044,132	23.8	%
Manufacturing	1,267,347		7.9		1,077,460		8.4
Retail trade	1,212,612		7.5		903,965		7.1
Finance and insurance	1,139,324		7.1		906,955		7.1
Wholesale trade	1,101,199		6.8		693,920		5.4
Other services	912,576		5.7		793,948		6.2
Real estate and rental and leasing	887,721		5.5		675,824		5.3
Accommodation and food services	882,918		5.5		663,106		5.2
Professional, scientific, and technical services	868,054		5.4		844,929		6.6
Arts, entertainment and recreation	849,283		5.3		234,310		1.8
Transportation and warehousing	841,532		5.2		477,386		3.7
Construction	684,516		4.2		615,903		4.8
Real estate other	534,098		3.3		452,360		3.5
Other industries	520,934		3.3		235,143		2.0
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting	339,939		2.1		344,136		2.7
Educational services	339,679		2.1		284,840		2.2
Administration, support, waste management, and remediation	334,260		2.1		281,681		2.2
Information	329,151		2.0		251,208		2.0
Total commercial and industrial loans	$	16,108,497	100.0	%	$	12,781,206	100.0	%

⁽¹⁾Loan balance in each category expressed as a percentage of total C&I loans.

At March 31, 2019, $9.55 billion of C&I loans, or 26.8% of the total loan portfolio, represented loans originated for the purpose of financing commercial, financial, and agricultural business activities. The primary source of repayment on these loans is revenue generated from products or services offered by the business or organization. The secondary source of repayment is the collateral, which consists primarily of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, time deposits, cash surrender value of life insurance, and other business assets.

At March 31, 2019, $6.56 billion of C&I loans, or 18.4% of the total loan portfolio, represented loans originated for the purpose of financing owner-occupied properties. The financing of owner-occupied facilities is considered a C&I loan even though there is improved real estate as collateral. This treatment is a result of the credit decision process, which focuses on cash flow from operations of the business to repay the debt. The secondary source of repayment on these loans is the underlying real estate. These loans are predominately secured by owner-occupied and other real estate, and to a lesser extent, other types of collateral.

Commercial Real Estate Loans

CRE loans consist of investment properties loans, 1-4 family properties loans, as well as land and development loans. Total CRE loans were $10.26 billion, representing 28.8% of the total loan portfolio, and increased $3.70 billion, or 56.3% from December 31, 2018 and increased $3.43 billion, or 50.1%, from March 31, 2018, driven by the FCB acquisition, which included $3.55 billion of CRE loans on the Acquisition Date. Excluding the acquisition, CRE loans grew $151.5 million sequentially led by growth in investment properties partially offset by continued strategic declines in 1-4 family properties and land and development loans.

Investment Properties Loans

Investment properties loans consist of construction and mortgage loans for income-producing properties and are primarily made to finance multi-family properties, hotels, office buildings, shopping centers, warehouses and other commercial development properties. Total investment properties loans as of March 31, 2019 were $8.92 billion, or 86.9% of the total CRE loan portfolio and 25.0% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $5.56 billion, or 84.7% of the total CRE loan portfolio and 21.4% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018. The increase in investment properties was primarily driven by FCB which included $3.15 billion of acquired investment properties loans. Excluding the acquisition, investment properties loans grew $202.3 million sequentially, driven by increases in most sub-categories including multi-family, shopping centers and other investment properties.

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1-4 Family Properties Loans

1-4 family properties loans include construction loans to homebuilders and commercial mortgage loans to real estate investors and are almost always secured by the underlying property being financed by such loans. These properties are primarily located in the markets served by Synovus. At March 31, 2019, 1-4 family properties loans totaled $765.0 million, or 7.5% of the total CRE loan portfolio and 2.2% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $679.9 million, or 10.4% of the total CRE loan portfolio and 2.6% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018. Outside of $112.0 million loans acquired from FCB, 1-4 family properties loans declined $26.9 million sequentially.

Land and Development Loans

Land and development loans include commercial and residential development as well as land acquisition loans and are secured by land held for future development, typically in excess of one year. Properties securing these loans are substantially within markets served by Synovus, and loan terms generally include personal guarantees from the principals. Loans in this portfolio are underwritten based on the LTV of the collateral and the capacity of the guarantor(s). Total land and development loans were $580.6 million at March 31, 2019, or 1.6% of the total loan portfolio, an increase of $256.9 million, or 79.4% from December 31, 2018 which was driven by $280.9 million of loans acquired from FCB. Outside of the acquisition, land and development loans declined $23.9 million sequentially.

Consumer Loans

The consumer loan portfolio consists of a wide variety of loan products offered through Synovus' banking network as well as third-party lending partnerships, including first and second residential mortgages, home equity lines, credit card loans, home improvement loans, student loans, and other consumer loans. The majority of Synovus' consumer loans are consumer mortgages and home equity lines secured by first and second liens on residential real estate primarily located in the markets served by Synovus.

Consumer loans at March 31, 2019 totaled $9.29 billion, representing 26.0% of the total loan portfolio compared to $6.63 billion, or 25.5% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018, and $5.97 billion, or 24.0% of the total loan portfolio at March 31, 2018. Consumer loans increased $2.66 billion, or 40.2% from December 31, 2018 and $3.32 billion, or 55.6%, from March 31, 2018. The increases were primarily driven by $2.48 billion of loans acquired from FCB. Excluding the acquisition, consumer loans grew $184.7 million sequentially, driven by growth in other consumer loans, including our lending partnerships, of $105.7 million, consumer mortgages of $60.0 million, and HELOCs of $24.5 million.

Consumer mortgages grew $2.46 billion or 83.7% from December 31, 2018, and $2.73 billion, or 102.4%, from March 31, 2018. Excluding the $2.40 billion in consumer mortgages acquired in the FCB acquisition, the sequential quarter growth of $60.0 million was driven by solid production in the physician and affordable mortgage products as well as production added by mortgage loan originators hired in 2018.

HELOCs increased $90.4 million or 6.0%, from December 31, 2018, driven primarily by the FCB acquisition. Credit card loans totaled $252.8 million at March 31, 2019, including $72.6 million of commercial credit card loans, and declined slightly compared to $258.2 million at December 31, 2018. Other consumer loans increased $120.7 million, or 6.3% from December 31, 2018, and $430.7 million, or 26.8%, from March 31, 2018 primarily due to our two consumer-based lending partnerships. As of March 31, 2019, these partnerships had combined balances of $1.70 billion, or 4.8% of the total loan portfolio.

Consumer loans are subject to uniform lending policies and consist primarily of loans with strong borrower credit scores. Synovus makes consumer lending decisions based upon a number of key credit risk determinants including FICO scores as well as loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratios. Risk levels 1-6 (descending) are assigned to consumer loans based upon a risk score matrix. At least annually, the consumer loan portfolio data is sent to a consumer credit reporting agency for a refresh of customers' credit scores so that management can evaluate ongoing consistency or negative migration in the quality of the portfolio, which impacts the allowance for loan losses. Revolving lines of credit were reviewed for any material change in financial circumstances, and when appropriate, the line of credit may be suspended for further advances. FICO scores within the residential real estate portfolio have generally remained stable over the last several years. As of the most recent FICO score refresh as of December 31, 2018, weighted-average FICO scores within the residential real estate portfolio were 772 for HELOCs and 786 for Consumer Mortgages.

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Deposits

Deposits provide the most significant funding source for interest earning assets. The following table shows the relative composition of deposits as of the dates indicated.



Table 4 - Composition of Period-end Deposits
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2019		%⁽¹⁾		December 31, 2018		%⁽¹⁾		March 31, 2018		%⁽¹⁾
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	$	9,144,315	24.0	%	$	7,650,967	28.6	%	$	7,381,070	28.1	%
Interest-bearing demand deposits	6,507,460		17.1		4,756,239		17.8		5,104,004		19.4
Money market accounts, excluding brokered deposits	10,122,853		26.6		8,143,975		30.5		7,865,144		30.0
Savings deposits	909,403		2.4		817,385		3.1		833,571		3.2
Time deposits, excluding brokered deposits	8,682,155		22.8		3,803,726		14.2		3,063,141		11.7
Brokered deposits	2,709,004		7.1		1,548,030		5.8		2,006,577		7.6
Total deposits	$	38,075,190	100.0	%	$	26,720,322	100.0	%	$	26,253,507	100.0	%
Total core deposits⁽²⁾	$	35,366,186	92.9	%	$	25,172,292	94.2	%	$	24,246,930	92.4	%

Time deposits greater than $100,000	$	8,318,082	21.8	%	$	3,749,928	14.0	%	$	3,695,809	14.1	%

Brokered time deposits	$	1,902,962	5.0	%	$	1,199,670	4.5	%	$	1,779,049	6.8	%

⁽¹⁾ Deposits balance in each category expressed as percentage of total deposits.

⁽²⁾ See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Report for the applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.

Total period-end deposits at March 31, 2019 increased $11.35 billion, or 42.5%, compared to December 31, 2018. Total core deposits at March 31, 2019 increased $10.19 billion, or 40.5%, compared to December 31, 2018. The acquisition of FCB contributed $10.93 billion in total deposits, including $9.67 billion in core deposits. Excluding the acquired balances, total deposits grew $423.7 million compared to the prior quarter driven largely by the continued market preference for time deposits, which increased $614.6 million. Time deposits, excluding brokered time deposits, now represent 22.8% of Synovus' deposit base following the acquisition of FCB.

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits as a percentage of total deposits declined during the first quarter of 2019 and represented 24.0%, 28.6%, and 28.1% at March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, and March 31, 2018, respectively.

Brokered deposits, as a percentage of total deposits, increased during the first quarter of 2019 following the acquisition of FCB and represented 7.1%, 5.8% and 7.6%, at March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, and March 31, 2018, respectively.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2019 was $79.4 million, up $12.3 million, or 18.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2018. The acquisition of FCB contributed approximately $7.3 million of non-interest income in the first quarter of 2019, which was primarily attributable to swap fee income, income from bank-owned life insurance, and service charges on deposits. Other non-interest income included favorable fair value adjustments to private equity investments of $858 thousand during the first quarter of 2019 compared to unfavorable fair value adjustments of $3.1 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted non-interest income, which excludes investment securities gains/(losses), net and changes in fair value of private equity investments was up $8.3 million, or 11.9%, for the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018. See "Part II - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" of this Report for applicable reconciliation to GAAP measures.

The following table shows the principal components of non-interest income.



Table 5 - Non-interest income
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2019		2018			% Change
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	20,859	$	19,940		4.6	%
Fiduciary and asset management fees	13,578		13,435			1.1
Card fees	10,877		10,199			6.6
Brokerage revenue	9,406		8,695			8.2
Mortgage banking income	5,054		5,047			0.1
Income from bank-owned life insurance	5,290		4,217			25.4
Swap fee income	4,778		690			nm
Investment securities gains, net	75		—			nm
Increase (decrease) in fair value of private equity investments, net	858		(3,056		)	nm
Other non-interest income	8,603		7,879			9.2
Total non-interest income	$	79,378	$	67,046		18.4	%

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 compared to March 31, 2018

Service charges on deposit accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were up $919 thousand with $1.3 million from FCB. Service charges on deposit accounts consist of NSF fees, account analysis fees, and all other service charges. NSF fees were down $281 thousand, and mostly offset by an increase of $222 thousand in account analysis fees for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The decline in NSF fees from the same period a year ago was primarily due to a higher level of NSF fees during the first quarter of 2018 as well as slightly increased charge-offs of uncollectible overdraft fees during the first quarter of 2019. All other service charges on deposit accounts, which consist primarily of monthly fees on retail demand deposits, saving accounts, and small business accounts, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, were up $978 thousand, due primarily to the addition of FCB.

Fiduciary and asset management fees are derived from providing estate administration, personal trust, corporate trust, corporate bond, investment management, and financial planning services. Fiduciary and asset management fees increased slightly, with no direct impact from FCB. The increase was driven by growth in total assets under management which increased by 5.7% year-over-year to approximately $15.0 billion (including growth in brokerage assets under management).

Card fees for the three months ended March 31, 2019, increased $678 thousand, or 6.6%, with $302 thousand from FCB. Card fees consist primarily of credit card interchange fees, debit card interchange fees, and merchant discounts. Card fees are reported net of certain associated expense items including customer loyalty program expenses and network expenses.

Brokerage revenue was $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, up $711 thousand, or 8.2%. Brokerage revenue consists primarily of brokerage commissions, as well as advisory fees earned from the management of customer assets. Brokerage assets under management were approximately $3.1 billion at March 31, 2019, an increase of 19% from $2.6 billion at March 31, 2018. The addition of FCB had no direct impact on our reported results in this category.

Mortgage banking income was essentially flat when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, and included $204 thousand from FCB.

Income from bank-owned life insurance, which includes increases in the cash surrender value of policies and proceeds from insurance benefits, increased $1.1 million, or 25.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, with $1.4 million from FCB.

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The first quarter of 2019 included income on proceeds from insurance benefits of $233 thousand compared to $536 thousand in 2018.

Swap fee income increased $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, driven by $3.4 million from FCB.

Investment securities gains, net, of $75 thousand, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included gains of $9.2 million and losses of $9.1 million, due to repositioning of the portfolio to better align with long-term liquidity objectives.

Increase/(decrease) in the fair value of private equity investments was up $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 due primarily to favorable fair value adjustments to private equity investments of $858 thousand during the first quarter of 2019 compared to unfavorable fair value adjustments of $3.1 million for the same period a year ago.

The main components of other non-interest income are fees for letters of credit and unused lines of credit, safe deposit box fees, access fees for automated teller machine use, other service charges, income from insurance commissions, gains from sales of GGL/SBA loans, and other miscellaneous items.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2019 was $292.4 million, up $97.2 million, or 49.8%, compared to the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted non-interest expense, which excludes merger-related expense of $49.7 million, was $242.7 million, up $44.5 million, or 22.5%, compared to the first quarter of 2018, including $26.8 million related to the operations of FCB and $3.1 million in additional amortization of intangibles. The efficiency ratio for the first three months of 2019 was 61.29%, compared to 57.16% for the first three months of 2018. The adjusted tangible efficiency ratio for the first three months of 2019 was 50.24%, down 718 basis points from the same period a year ago. See "Part II - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" of this Report for applicable reconciliation to GAAP measures.

The following table summarizes the components of non-interest expense.



Table 6 - Non-interest Expense
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2019		2018		% Change
Salaries and other personnel expense	$	139,427	$	113,720	22.6	%
Net occupancy and equipment expense	38,394		31,480		22.0
Third-party processing expense	17,758		13,945		27.3
FDIC insurance and other regulatory fees	6,761		6,793		(0.5	)
Professional fees	6,348		5,505		15.3
Advertising expense	5,123		5,092		0.6
Amortization of intangibles	3,392		292		nm
Merger-related expense	49,738		—		nm
Other operating expenses	25,469		18,352		38.8
Total non-interest expense	$	292,410	$	195,179	49.8	%

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 compared to March 31, 2018

Salaries and other personnel expenses increased $25.7 million, or 22.6%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, including $16.0 million from FCB, talent additions, higher production-based commission and incentive compensation expense, and annual merit increases.

Net occupancy and equipment expense increased $6.9 million, or 22.0%, during the three months ended March 31, 2019, including $4.1 million related primarily to additional branches from the acquisition of FCB.

Third-party processing expense includes all third-party core operating system and processing charges as well as third-party servicing charges. Third-party processing expense increased $3.8 million, or 27.3%, including $3.1 million from FCB and increases associated with loan growth from Synovus' consumer-based lending partnerships.

FDIC insurance and other regulatory fees include the impact of FCB for the three months ended March 31, 2019, but are essentially flat compared to the same period a year ago due to the FDIC's elimination of the assessment surcharge for all large banks in the fourth quarter of 2018.

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Professional fees increased $843 thousand, or 15.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, including $341 thousand from FCB.

Amortization of intangibles was up $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 due to amortization of the core deposit intangible asset created from FCB acquisition, which will be amortized using an accelerated method over an estimated life of 10 years.

In connection with the FCB acquisition, Synovus incurred merger-related expense totaling $49.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily related to employee compensation, severance, and professional services. See "Note 2 - Acquisitions" in this Report for more information on the acquisition of FCB.

Other operating expenses were up $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 with travel expense up $1.6 million. Other operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2018 included the benefit of a contingency recovery of $2.6 million, unfunded commitment reserve release of $1.0 million, and restructuring charge recovery of $315 thousand.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $40.4 million and $30.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, representing an effective tax rate of 25.2% and 22.7% for the respective periods. The increase in the effective tax rate was largely due to non-deductible merger-related expenses incurred during the first quarter of 2019 and higher tax benefits recognized during the first quarter of 2018 from vesting of employee share-based awards.

The effective tax rate is affected by many factors including, but not limited to, the level of pre-tax income, bank-owned life insurance, tax-exempt interest and nondeductible expenses. In addition, the effective tax rate is affected by items that may occur in any given period but are not consistent from period-to-period, such as tax benefits related to share-based compensation, jurisdiction statutory tax rate changes, valuation allowance changes and changes to unrecognized tax benefits. Accordingly, the comparability of the effective tax rate between periods may be impacted.

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CREDIT QUALITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Credit Quality

Synovus continuously monitors the quality of its loan portfolio by industry, property type, geography, as well as credit quality metrics and maintains an allowance for loan losses that management believes is sufficient to absorb probable losses inherent in its loan portfolio. Synovus continued to benefit from a relatively stable credit environment during the first three months of 2019.

The table below includes selected credit quality metrics.



Table 7 - Credit Quality Metrics
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018			March 31, 2018
Non-performing loans⁽¹⁾	$	143,976		$	106,733		$	120,081
Impaired loans held for sale⁽²⁾	12			1,506			6,591
Other real estate	11,329			6,220			4,496
Non-performing assets⁽¹⁾	$	155,317		$	114,459		$	131,168
Total loans	$	35,634,501		$	25,946,573		$	24,883,037
Non-performing loans as a % of total loans	0.40		%	0.41		%	0.48		%
Non-performing assets as a % of total loans, other loans held for sale, and ORE	0.44			0.44			0.53
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing	$	4,486		$	3,798		$	5,416
As a % of total loans	0.01		%	0.01		%	0.02		%
Total past due loans and still accruing	$	88,135		$	56,927		$	54,150
As a % of total loans	0.25		%	0.22		%	0.22		%
Net charge-offs, quarter	$	17,088		$	13,044		$	4,280
Net charge-offs/average loans, quarter	0.19		%	0.20		%	0.07		%
Net charge-offs, year-to-date	$	17,088		$	50,410		$	4,280
Net charge-offs/average loans, year-to-date	0.19		%	0.20		%	0.07		%
Provision for loan losses, quarter	$	23,569		$	12,148		$	12,776
Provision for loan losses, year-to-date	23,569			51,697			12,776
Allowance for loan losses	257,036			250,555			257,764
Allowance for loan losses as a % of total loans	0.72		%	0.97		%	1.04		%

⁽¹⁾For purposes of this table, March 31, 2019 non-performing loans exclude acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 that are currently accruing income.

⁽²⁾Represent only impaired loans that have been specifically identified to be sold. Impaired loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less costs to sell, based primarily on estimated sales proceeds net of selling costs.

Non-performing Assets

Total NPAs were $155.3 million at March 31, 2019, a $40.9 million, or 35.7%, increase from $114.5 million at December 31, 2018 and a $24.1 million, or 18.4%, increase from $131.2 million at March 31, 2018. Total non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans, other loans held for sale, and other real estate were 0.44% at both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and 0.53% at March 31, 2018.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

Accruing TDRs were $112.2 at March 31, 2019, compared to $115.6 million at December 31, 2018 and $129.4 million at March 31, 2018. Accruing TDRs decreased $3.4 million, or 2.9%, from December 31, 2018 and $17.2 million, or, 13.3% from a year ago primarily due to more loans qualifying for removal of TDR designation upon subsequent renewal, refinance, or modification, and pay-offs. Non-accruing TDRs were $22.3 million at March 31, 2019 compared to $26.2 million at December 31, 2018.

At March 31, 2019, the allowance for loan losses allocated to these accruing TDRs was $4.7 million compared to $6.1 million at both December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018. Accruing TDRs are considered performing because they are performing in accordance with the restructured terms. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 approximately, 99% and 98%, respectively of accruing TDRs were current. In addition, subsequent defaults on accruing TDRs (defaults defined as the earlier of the TDR being placed on non-accrual status or reaching 90 days past due with respect to principal and/or interest payments within twelve months of the TDR designation) have remained at low levels. There were no defaults for each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

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Table 8 - Accruing TDRs by Risk Grade
	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018				March 31, 2018
(dollars in thousands)	Amount		%		Amount		%		Amount		%
Pass	$	54,999	49.0	%	$	50,668	43.9	%	$	56,924	44.0	%
Special Mention	13,188		11.8		14,480		12.5		15,429		11.9
Substandard accruing	44,018		39.2		50,440		43.6		57,041		44.1
Total accruing TDRs	$	112,205	100.0	%	$	115,588	100.0	%	$	129,394	100.0	%

Net Charge-offs

Net charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $17.1 million, or 0.19% as a percentage of average loans annualized, compared to $13.0 million, or 0.20%, and $4.3 million, or 0.07%, for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in net charge-offs was primarily attributable to a higher level of recoveries in the previous and prior year quarters, with gross charge-offs for the first quarter of 2019 remaining in-line with the fourth quarter of 2018 but slightly elevated from the first quarter of 2018.

Provision for Loan Losses and Allowance for Loan Losses

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the provision for loan losses was $23.6 million, an increase of $11.4 million, or 94.0%, and $10.8 million, or 84.5%, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2018 and three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in provision expense was driven by an accelerated rate of new and renewed loan production with the addition of FCB, increases to the loan loss reserve, and a lower level of recoveries and upgrades compared to previous quarters in 2018.

The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2019 was $257.0 million, or 0.72% of total loans, compared to $250.6 million, or 0.97% of total loans, at December 31, 2018 and $257.8 million, or 1.04% of total loans, at March 31, 2018, reflecting a lower ratio at March 31, 2019, with no allowance for loan losses recorded for acquired loans at the Acquisition Date in accordance with ASC Topic 820. The allowance to non-performing loans ratio at March 31, 2019 remained strong at 178.53%, or 213.30%, excluding acquired FCB loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 that are currently accruing income as well as acquired FCB loans that are not accruing income, compared to 234.75% at December 31, 2018 and 214.66% at March 31, 2018.

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Capital Resources

Synovus and Synovus Bank are required to comply with capital adequacy standards established by their primary federal regulator, the Federal Reserve. Synovus and Synovus Bank measure capital adequacy using the standardized approach to the Basel III Final Rule. At March 31, 2019, Synovus and Synovus Bank's capital levels remained strong and exceeded well-capitalized requirements currently in effect. The following table presents certain ratios used to measure Synovus and Synovus Bank's capitalization.



Table 9 - Capital Ratios
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
CET1 capital (transitional)
Synovus Financial Corp.	$	3,790,395		$	2,897,997
Synovus Bank	4,431,463			3,382,497
Tier 1 risk-based capital
Synovus Financial Corp.	3,985,535			3,090,416
Synovus Bank	4,431,463			3,382,497
Total risk-based capital
Synovus Financial Corp.	4,803,641			3,601,376
Synovus Bank	4,689,569			3,633,457
CET1 capital ratio (transitional)
Synovus Financial Corp.	9.52		%	9.95		%
Synovus Bank	11.13			11.62
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
Synovus Financial Corp.	10.01			10.61
Synovus Bank	11.13			11.62
Total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets ratio
Synovus Financial Corp.	12.06			12.37
Synovus Bank	11.78			12.49
Leverage ratio
Synovus Financial Corp.	8.81			9.60
Synovus Bank	9.80			10.51
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio⁽¹⁾
Synovus Financial Corp.	8.34			8.81

⁽¹⁾ See " Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this Report for the applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.

At March 31, 2019, Synovus' CET1 ratio was 9.52% under the Basel III transitional provisions, and the estimated fully phased-in CET1 ratio was 9.48% (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this Report), both of which are well in excess of regulatory requirements including the capital conservation buffer which has now reached the fully-phased in amount of 2.5% effective January 1, 2019. See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 11 - Regulatory Capital" to the consolidated financial statements of Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K for additional information on regulatory capital requirements. Management currently believes, based on internal capital analyses and earnings projections, that Synovus' capital position is adequate to meet current and future regulatory minimum capital requirements inclusive of the capital conservation buffer.

Effective January 1, 2019, Synovus completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of FCB for total consideration of approximately $1.6 billion. See "Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 - Acquisitions" in this Report for more information on the FCB acquisition.

On January 15, 2019, Synovus announced a share repurchase program of up to $400 million to be completed during 2019. As of March 31, 2019, Synovus had repurchased under this program a total of $320.0 million, or 8.5 million shares of its common stock, at an average price of $37.71 per share. As of April 30, 2019, the remaining authorization under this program was $80.0 million. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2018, the Board of Directors approved a 20% increase in the quarterly common stock dividend to $0.30 per share, effective with the quarterly dividend payable in April 2019.

On February 7, 2019, Synovus completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.900% fixed-to-fixed rate subordinated notes due in 2029.

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In December 2018, the federal banking regulators adopted as final the transitional arrangements to permit banking organizations to phase-in the day-one impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13, referred to as the current expected credit loss model, on regulatory capital over a period of three years. For additional information on ASU 2016-13, see "Note 1 - Basis of Presentation" in this Report.

Dividends

Synovus has historically paid a quarterly cash dividend to the holders of its common stock. Management and the Board of Directors closely monitor current and projected capital levels, liquidity (including dividends from subsidiaries), financial markets and other economic trends, as well as regulatory requirements regarding the payment of dividends. Synovus increased the quarterly common stock dividend by 20% to $0.30 per share effective with the quarterly dividend declared during the first quarter of 2019.

Synovus' ability to pay dividends on its common stock and preferred stock is primarily dependent upon dividends and distributions that it receives from its bank and non-banking subsidiaries, which are restricted by various regulations administered by federal and state bank regulatory authorities.

Synovus declared dividends of $0.30 and $0.25 per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition to dividends paid on its common stock, Synovus paid dividends of $3.2 million on its Series D Preferred Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and paid dividends of $2.6 million on its Series C Preferred Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Liquidity

Liquidity represents the extent to which Synovus has readily available sources of funding needed to meet the needs of depositors, borrowers and creditors, to support asset growth, and to otherwise sustain operations of Synovus and its subsidiaries, at a reasonable cost, on a timely basis, and without adverse consequences. ALCO monitors Synovus' economic, competitive, and regulatory environment and is responsible for measuring, monitoring, and reporting on liquidity and funding risk, interest rate risk, and market risk and has the authority to establish policies relative to these risks. ALCO, operating under liquidity and funding policies approved by the Board of Directors, actively analyzes contractual and anticipated cash flows in order to properly manage Synovus’ liquidity position.

Contractual and anticipated cash flows are analyzed under normal and stressed conditions to determine forward looking liquidity needs and sources. Synovus analyzes liquidity needs under various scenarios of market conditions and operating performance. This analysis includes stress testing and measures expected sources and uses of funds under each scenario. Emphasis is placed on maintaining numerous sources of current and potential liquidity to allow Synovus to meet its obligations to depositors, borrowers, and creditors on a timely basis.

Liquidity is generated primarily through maturities and repayments of loans by customers, maturities and sales of investment securities, deposit growth, and access to sources of funds other than deposits. Management continuously monitors and maintains appropriate levels of liquidity so as to provide adequate funding sources to manage customer deposit withdrawals, loan requests, and funding maturities. Liquidity is also enhanced by the acquisition of new deposits. Each of the local markets monitors deposit flows and evaluates local market conditions in an effort to retain and grow deposits.

Synovus Bank also generates liquidity through the issuance of brokered certificates of deposit and money market accounts. Synovus Bank accesses these funds from a broad geographic base to diversify its sources of funding and liquidity. On September 25, 2017, Synovus Bank completed the Cabela's Transaction and thereby retained WFB's $1.10 billion brokered time deposit portfolio with a weighted average remaining maturity of approximately 2.53 years and a weighted average rate of 1.83 percent (the balance of these deposits at March 31, 2019 was $619.8 million). Synovus Bank has the capacity to access funding through its membership in the FHLB system. At March 31, 2019, based on currently pledged collateral, Synovus Bank had access to incremental funding of $2.52 billion, subject to FHLB credit policies, through utilization of FHLB advances.

In addition to bank level liquidity management, Synovus must manage liquidity at the parent company level for various operating needs including the servicing of debt, the payment of dividends on our common stock and preferred stock, share repurchases, payment of general corporate expenses and potential capital infusions into subsidiaries. The primary source of liquidity for Synovus consists of dividends from Synovus Bank, which is governed by certain rules and regulations of the GA DBF and the Federal Reserve Bank. Synovus' ability to receive dividends from Synovus Bank in future periods will depend on a number of factors, including, without limitation, Synovus Bank's future profits, asset quality, liquidity, and overall condition. In addition, GA DBF rules and related statutes contain limitations on payments of dividends by Synovus without the approval of the GA DBF.

On February 7, 2019, Synovus completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.900% fixed-to-fixed rate subordinated notes due in 2029. Subject to any redemption prior to February 7, 2029, the notes will bear interest at the rate of 5.900% per annum for the first five years and, thereafter, at a fixed rate which will be 3.379% above the 5-Year Mid-Swap Rate as of the reset date. Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears. The notes will mature on February 7, 2029. Proceeds from these notes were primarily used to repurchase common stock under the current authorization.

Synovus presently believes that the sources of liquidity discussed above, including existing liquid funds on hand, are sufficient to meet its anticipated funding needs. However, if economic conditions were to significantly deteriorate, regulatory capital requirements for Synovus or Synovus Bank were to increase as the result of regulatory directives or otherwise, or Synovus believes it is prudent to enhance current liquidity levels, then Synovus may seek additional liquidity from external sources. See "Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors - Changes in the cost and availability of funding due to changes in the deposit market and credit market may adversely affect our capital resources, liquidity and financial results." of Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K. Furthermore, Synovus may, from time to time, take advantage of attractive market opportunities to refinance its existing debt, redeem its preferred stock, or strengthen its liquidity or capital position.

Earning Assets and Sources of Funds

Average total assets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased $14.55 billion. or 46.6%, to $45.79 billion as compared to $31.25 billion for the first three months of 2018. Average earning assets increased $13.08 billion, or 44.4%, in the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 and represented 92.9% of average total assets at March 31, 2019, as compared to 94.2% at March 31, 2018. The increase in average earning assets resulted from a $10.46 billion increase in average loans, net, and a $2.42 billion increase in average taxable investment securities. These increases were primarily attributable to the $9.29 billion in loans and $2.30 billion in investment securities acquired from FCB.

Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $10.78 billion, or 52.0%, to $31.51 billion for the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The increase in average interest-bearing liabilities was primarily related to the $10.93 billion in deposits acquired from FCB, of which $9.42 billion was interest-bearing. The year-over-year increase in average interest-bearing liabilities included a $5.73 billion increase in average time deposits, a $3.20 billion increase in average money market deposit accounts, a $1.36 billion increase in average interest-bearing demand deposits, a $250.0 million increase in average long-term debt, primarily due to the fixed-to-fixed rate subordinated notes issued in February 2019, and $123.4 million increase in average other short-term borrowings. Average non-interest-bearing demand deposits increased $1.66 billion, or 22.5%, to $9.05 billion for the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, due primarily to the FCB acquisition.

Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $397.2 million, an increase of $122.9 million, or 44.8%, compared to $274.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 driven by the FCB acquisition. Net interest margin was flat at 3.78% over the comparable three-month periods, and was impacted by the FCB merger and three 25 basis point federal funds rate increases since March 31, 2018. The yield on earning assets was 4.80%, an increase of 49 basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, while the effective cost of funds increased 49 basis points to 1.02%. The yield on loans increased 47 basis points to 5.17%, and the yield on investment securities increased 72 basis points to 3.06% over the three months ended March 31, 2018.

On a sequential quarter basis, net interest income increased $99.2 million, or 33.3%, driven by the FCB acquisition. The net interest margin for the quarter was 3.78%, down 14 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2018. Net interest income and margin were favorably impacted by $18.8 million, or 19 basis points, of purchase accounting adjustments. Purchase accounting adjustments are primarily comprised of $7.4 million of loan accretion and $11.0 million of deposit premium amortization in the first quarter of 2019. The sequential quarter decrease in the net interest margin was driven by the FCB merger, the issuance of subordinated debt, and continued deposit mix shift into time deposits. The net interest margin, excluding the impact of purchase accounting adjustments was 3.59% for the first quarter of 2019. The net interest margin decline for the quarter, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, included an 11 basis point increase in earning asset yields and a 25 basis point increase in the effective cost of funds.

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Quarterly yields earned on average interest-earning assets and rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities for the five most recent quarters are presented below.



Table 10 - Average Balances and Yields/Rates	2019			2018
(dollars in thousands) (yields and rates annualized)	First Quarter			Fourth Quarter		Third Quarter		Second Quarter		First Quarter
Interest Earning Assets:
Taxable investment securities⁽¹⁾	$	6,515,561		4,073,685		4,061,239		4,077,564		4,097,162
Yield	3.05		%	2.45		2.38		2.34		2.34
Tax-exempt investment securities⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾	$	20,638		—		89		115		140
Yield (taxable equivalent)⁽³⁾	4.45		%	—		5.91		6.87		6.57
Trading account assets⁽⁴⁾	$	2,049		7,493		16,646		23,772		8,167
Yield	1.30		%	1.90		2.52		2.79		2.66
Commercial loans⁽²⁾⁽³⁾	$	26,140,672		19,150,252		19,025,830		18,857,271		18,963,515
Yield	5.16		%	5.13		4.98		4.85		4.64
Consumer loans⁽²⁾	$	9,180,679		6,476,026		6,298,643		6,092,899		5,899,015
Yield	5.10		%	4.85		4.80		4.76		4.71
Allowance for loan losses	$	(252,815	)	(251,098	)	(251,684	)	(257,966	)	(251,635	)
Loans, net⁽²⁾	$	35,068,536		25,375,180		25,072,789		24,692,204		24,610,895
Yield	5.17		%	5.11		4.99		4.88		4.70
Mortgage loans held for sale	$	34,913		36,477		49,030		50,366		38,360
Yield	4.48		%	4.79		4.71		4.42		3.95
Other earning assets⁽⁵⁾	$	679,477		641,832		544,704		724,537		516,575
Yield	2.45		%	2.20		1.90		1.77		1.48
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Stock⁽⁴⁾	$	211,408		162,369		163,568		165,845		177,381
Yield	4.82		%	4.31		4.41		4.63		3.39
Total interest earning assets	$	42,532,582		30,297,036		29,908,065		29,734,403		29,448,680
Yield	4.80		%	4.69		4.58		4.47		4.31
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	6,393,304		4,692,804		4,701,204		5,001,826		5,032,000
Rate	0.68		%	0.41		0.38		0.35		0.31
Money Market accounts, excluding brokered deposits	$	10,244,556		8,050,732		7,936,621		7,791,107		7,561,554
Rate	1.18		%	0.89		0.72		0.55		0.43
Savings deposits	$	901,059		815,588		824,935		829,800		811,587
Rate	0.06		%	0.04		0.03		0.03		0.03
Time deposits under $100,000	$	2,238,568		1,242,811		1,205,987		1,161,890		1,143,780
Rate	1.24		%	1.16		0.99		0.82		0.71
Time deposits over $100,000	$	6,211,067		2,478,649		2,273,582		2,021,084		1,895,545
Rate	1.60		%	1.67		1.46		1.22		1.02
Non-maturing brokered deposits	$	937,629		349,480		358,277		262,976		424,118
Rate	2.60		%	2.46		2.10		1.94		1.14
Brokered time deposits	$	1,845,819		1,275,276		1,414,700		1,659,941		1,527,793
Rate	2.13		%	2.03		1.94		1.85		1.75
Total interest-bearing deposits	$	28,772,002		18,905,340		18,715,306		18,728,624		18,396,377
Rate	1.24		%	0.96		0.83		0.70		0.58
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	$	233,076		194,370		230,504		207,655		202,226
Rate	0.22		%	0.18		0.25		0.35		0.21
Other short-term borrowings	$	517,456		112,228		146,794		3,024		394,056
Rate	2.58		%	2.51		2.12		2.84		1.52
Long-term debt	$	1,983,910		1,657,022		1,656,743		1,852,094		1,733,938
Rate	3.33		%	3.06		2.87		2.66		2.51
Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	31,506,444		20,868,960		20,749,347		20,791,397		20,726,597
Rate	1.38		%	1.12		0.99		0.87		0.76
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	$	9,054,949		8,014,761		7,672,006		7,539,451		7,391,695
Cost of funds	1.07		%	0.81		0.73		0.64		0.56
Effective cost of funds⁽⁶⁾	1.02		%	0.77		0.69		0.61		0.53
Net interest margin	3.78		%	3.92		3.89		3.86		3.78
Taxable equivalent adjustment⁽³⁾	$	630		181		136		120		116


⁽¹⁾	Excludes net unrealized gains (losses).

⁽²⁾ Average loans are shown net of deferred fees and costs. Non-performing loans are included.


⁽³⁾	Reflects taxable-equivalent adjustments, using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, in adjusting interest on tax-exempt loans and investment securities to a taxable-equivalent basis.


⁽⁴⁾	Included as a component of other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.


⁽⁵⁾	Includes interest-bearing funds with Federal Reserve Bank, interest earning deposits with banks, and federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements.

⁽⁶⁾Includes the impact of non-interest-bearing capital funding sources.

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Net Interest Income and Rate/Volume Analysis

The following tables set forth the major components of net interest income and the related annualized yields and rates for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, as well as the variances between the periods caused by changes in interest rates versus changes in volume.



Table 11 - Net Interest Income and Rate/Volume Analysis
	Three Months Ended March 31,														2019 Compared to 2018
	Average Balances						Interest				Annualized Yield/Rate				Change due to						Increase (Decrease)
(dollars in thousands)	2019			2018			2019		2018		2019		2018		Volume			Rate
Assets
Interest earning assets:
Taxable investment securities	$	6,515,561		$	4,097,162		$	49,756	$	23,929	3.05	%	2.34	%	$	13,954		$	11,873		$	25,827
Tax-exempt investment securities⁽²⁾	20,638			140			230		2		4.45		6.57		332			(104		)	228
Total investment securities	6,536,199			4,097,302			49,986		23,931		3.06		2.34		14,286			11,769			26,055
Trading account assets	2,049			8,167			7		54		1.30		2.66		(40		)	(7		)	(47		)
Taxable loans, net⁽¹⁾	34,987,418			24,810,104			445,602		284,919		5.17		4.66		116,942			43,741			160,683
Tax-exempt loans, net⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	333,933			52,426			2,770		552		3.36		4.27		2,964			(746		)	2,218
Allowance for loan losses	(252,815		)	(251,635		)
Loans, net	35,068,536			24,610,895			448,372		285,471		5.17		4.70		119,906			42,995			162,901
Mortgage loans held for sale	34,913			38,360			391		379		4.48		3.95		(34		)	46			12
Other earning assets⁽³⁾	679,477			516,575			4,164		1,914		2.45		1.48		591			1,659			2,250
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock	211,408			177,381			2,549		1,501		4.82		3.39		285			763			1,048
Total interest earning assets	42,532,582			29,448,680			505,469		313,250		4.80		4.31		134,994			57,225			192,219
Cash and due from banks	519,073			398,865
Premises and equipment, net	479,200			426,902
Other real estate	14,078			3,785
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance	764,590			541,465
Other assets⁽⁴⁾	1,485,098			426,011
Total assets	$	45,794,621		$	31,245,708

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	6,393,304		$	5,032,000		$	10,681	$	3,814	0.68	%	0.31	%	$	1,041		$	5,826		$	6,867
Money market accounts	11,182,186			7,985,672			35,833		9,152		1.30		0.46		3,626			23,055			26,681
Savings deposits	901,059			811,587			138		59		0.06		0.03		7			72			79
Time deposits	10,295,454			4,567,118			41,032		13,350		1.62		1.19		16,808			10,874			27,682
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	233,076			202,226			127		107		0.22		0.21		16			4			20
Other short-term borrowings	517,456			394,056			3,336		1,494		2.58		1.52		463			1,379			1,842
Long-term debt	1,983,910			1,733,938			16,517		10,874		3.33		2.51		1,547			4,096			5,643
Total interest-bearing liabilities	31,506,445			20,726,597			107,664		38,850		1.38		0.76		23,508			45,306			68,814
Non-interest-bearing deposits	9,054,949			7,391,695
Other liabilities	716,527			210,558
Shareholders' equity	4,516,700			2,916,858
Total liabilities and equity	$	45,794,621		$	31,245,708
Interest rate spread:											3.42	%	3.55	%
Net interest income - FTE/margin⁽⁵⁾							$	397,805	$	274,400	3.78	%	3.78	%	$	111,486		$	11,919		$	123,405
Taxable equivalent adjustment							630		116
Net interest income, actual							$	397,175	$	274,284

⁽¹⁾Average loans are shown net of unearned income. Non-performing loans are included. Interest income includes fees as follows: 2019 - $8.2 million, 2018 - $7.9 million.

⁽²⁾ Reflects taxable-equivalent adjustments, using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, in adjusting interest on tax-exempt loans and investment securities to a taxable-equivalent basis.

⁽³⁾ Includes interest-bearing funds with Federal Reserve Bank, interest earning deposits with banks, and federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements.

⁽⁴⁾ Includes average net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale of $(85.6) million and $(100.6) million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

⁽⁵⁾ The net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income - FTE by average total interest earnings assets.

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Market Risk Analysis

Interest rate risk is the primary market risk to which Synovus is potentially exposed. Synovus measures its sensitivity to changes in market interest rates through the use of a simulation model. Synovus uses this simulation model to determine a baseline net interest income forecast and the sensitivity of this forecast to changes in interest rates. These simulations include all of Synovus’ earning assets and liabilities. Forecasted balance sheet changes, primarily reflecting loan and deposit growth forecasts, are included in the periods modeled. Anticipated deposit mix changes in each interest rate scenario are also included in the periods modeled. Assumptions utilized in the model are updated on an ongoing basis and are reviewed and approved by ALCO and the Risk Committee of the Board of Directors.

Synovus has modeled its baseline net interest income forecast assuming a flat interest rate environment with the federal funds rate at the Federal Reserve’s current targeted range of 2.25% to 2.50% and the current prime rate of 5.50%. Synovus has modeled the impact of a gradual increase in short-term rates of 100 and 200 basis points and a gradual decline of 100 and 200 basis points to determine the sensitivity of net interest income for the next twelve months. Synovus continues to maintain a modestly asset-sensitive position which would be expected to benefit net interest income in a rising interest rate environment and reduce net interest income in a declining interest rate environment. The following table represents the estimated sensitivity of net interest income to these changes in short-term interest rates at March 31, 2019, with comparable information for December 31, 2018.



Table 12 - Twelve Month Net Interest Income Sensitivity⁽¹⁾
	Estimated % Change in Net Interest Income as Compared to Unchanged Rates (for the next twelve months)

Change in Short-term Interest Rates (in basis points)	March 31, 2019	December 31, 2018
+200	2.2%	3.4%
+100	1.6%	2.0%
Flat	—%	—%
-100	(1.8)%	(2.0)%
-200	(4.5)%	N/A

(1) December 31, 2018 does not include assets and liabilities of FCB which were acquired on January 1, 2019.

The net interest income simulation model is the primary tool utilized to evaluate potential interest rate risks over a shorter term time horizon. Synovus also evaluates potential longer term interest rate risk through modeling and evaluation of EVE. Simulation modeling is utilized to measure the economic value of equity and its sensitivity to immediate changes in interest rates. This EVE modeling allows Synovus to capture longer-term repricing risk and options risk embedded in the balance sheet. These simulations value only the current balance sheet and do not incorporate growth assumptions used in the net interest income simulation. The economic value of equity is the net fair value of assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet financial instruments derived from the present value of future cash flows discounted at current market interest rates. From this baseline valuation, Synovus evaluates changes in the value of each of these items in various interest rate scenarios to determine the net impact on the economic value of equity. Key assumptions utilized in the model, namely loan prepayments, investment security prepayments, deposit repricing betas, and non-maturity deposit duration have a significant impact on the results of the EVE simulations. As illustrated in the table below, the EVE model indicates that, compared with a valuation assuming stable rates, EVE is projected to decrease by 3.9% and by 9.3%, assuming an immediate and sustained increase in interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points, respectively. Assuming an immediate 100 basis point and 200 basis point decline in rates, EVE is projected to decrease by 7.3% and 20.0%, respectively. These changes in long-term interest rate sensitivity are primarily due to the impact of the acquisition of FCB.



Table 13 - Economic Value of Sensitivity⁽¹⁾
	Estimated Change in EVE
Immediate Change in Interest Rates (in basis points)	March 31, 2019	December 31, 2018
+200	(9.3)%	0.7%
+100	(3.9)%	1.3%
-100	(7.3)%	(13.9)%
-200	(20.0)%	N/A

(1) December 31, 2018 does not include assets and liabilities of FCB which were acquired on January 1, 2019.

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Critical Accounting Policies

The accounting and financial reporting policies of Synovus are in accordance with GAAP and conform to the accounting and reporting guidelines prescribed by bank regulatory authorities. Synovus has identified certain of its accounting policies as “critical accounting policies,” consisting of those related to the allowance for loan losses, determination of the fair value of financial instruments and income taxes. In determining which accounting policies are critical in nature, Synovus has identified the policies that require significant judgment or involve complex estimates. It is management's practice to discuss critical accounting policies with the Board of Directors' Audit Committee, including the development, selection, implementation and disclosure of the critical accounting policies. The application of these policies has a significant impact on Synovus’ unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. Synovus’ financial results could differ significantly if different judgments or estimates are used in the application of these policies. All accounting policies described in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K should be reviewed for a greater understanding of how we record and report our financial performance. Excluding the recently adopted accounting standards disclosed in "Note 1 - Basis of Presentation" in this Report, there have been no significant changes to the accounting policies, estimates and assumptions, or the judgments affecting the application of these estimates and assumptions from those disclosed in Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The measures entitled adjusted non-interest income; adjusted non-interest expense; adjusted total revenues; adjusted tangible efficiency ratio; adjusted net income per common share, diluted; adjusted return on average assets; adjusted return on average common equity; adjusted return on average tangible common equity; total core deposits; tangible common equity ratio; and CET1 ratio (fully phased-in) are not measures recognized under GAAP and therefore are considered non-GAAP financial measures. The most comparable GAAP measures to these measures are total non-interest income; total non-interest expense; total revenues; efficiency ratio; net income per common share, diluted; return on average assets; return on average common equity; total deposits; the ratio of total shareholders' equity to total assets; and the CET1 ratio, respectively.

Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful additional information about Synovus to assist management and investors in evaluating Synovus’ operating results, financial strength, the performance of its business, and the strength of its capital position. However, these non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of operating results or capital position as reported under GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as additional views of the way our financial measures are affected by significant items and other factors, and since they are not required to be uniformly applied, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures at other companies. Adjusted total revenues and adjusted non-interest income are measures used by management to evaluate non-interest income exclusive of net investment securities gains (losses) and changes in fair value of private equity investments, net. Adjusted non-interest expense and the adjusted tangible efficiency ratio are measures utilized by management to measure the success of expense management initiatives focused on reducing recurring controllable operating costs. Adjusted net income per common share, diluted, adjusted return on average assets, and adjusted return on average common equity are measurements used by management to evaluate operating results exclusive of items that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operations and impact period-to-period comparisons. The adjusted return on average tangible common equity is a measure used by management to compare Synovus' performance with other financial institutions because it calculates the return available to common shareholders without the impact of intangible assets and their related amortization, thereby allowing management to evaluate the performance of the business consistently. Total core deposits is a measure used by management to evaluate organic growth of deposits and the quality of deposits as a funding source. The tangible common equity ratio and CET1 ratio (fully phased-in) are used by management and bank regulators to assess the strength of our capital position. The computations of these measures are set forth in the tables below.



Table 14 - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
	Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2019			March 31, 2018
Adjusted non-interest income
Total non-interest income	$	79,378		$	67,046
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net	(75		)	—
Subtract/add: (Increase) decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	(858		)	3,056
Adjusted non-interest income	$	78,445		$	70,102

Adjusted non-interest expense
Total non-interest expense	$	292,410		$	195,179
Subtract: Merger-related expense	(49,738		)	—
Add: Litigation settlement/contingency expense	—			2,626
Subtract/add: Restructuring charges, net	(19		)	315
Adjusted non-interest expense	$	242,653		$	198,120

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Table 14 - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, continued
	Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	March 31, 2019			March 31, 2018
Adjusted total revenues and adjusted tangible efficiency ratio
Adjusted non-interest expense	$	242,653		$	198,120
Subtract: Amortization of intangibles	(3,392		)	(292		)
Adjusted tangible non-interest expense	$	239,261		$	197,828

Net interest income	$	397,175		$	274,284
Add: Tax equivalent adjustment	630			116
Add: Total non-interest income	79,378			67,046
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net	(75		)	—
Total FTE revenues	$	477,108		$	341,446
Subtract/add: (Increase) decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	(858		)	3,056
Adjusted total revenues	$	476,250		$	344,502
Efficiency ratio	61.29		%	57.16		%
Adjusted tangible efficiency ratio	50.24			57.42

Adjusted net income per common share, diluted
Net income available to common shareholders	$	117,036		$	100,607
Add: Income tax expense, net related to State Tax Reform	—			1,325
Add: Merger-related expense	49,738			—
Subtract: Litigation settlement/contingency expense	—			(2,626		)
Add/subtract: Restructuring charges, net	19			(315		)
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net	(75		)	—
Subtract/add: (Increase) decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	(858		)	3,056
Subtract: Tax effect of adjustments	(5,705		)	(27		)
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders	$	160,155		$	102,020
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	162,760			119,321
Adjusted net income per common share, diluted	$	0.98		$	0.86

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Table 14 - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, continued
	Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2019			March 31, 2018
Adjusted return on average assets (annualized)
Net income	$	120,186		$	103,166
Add: Income tax expense, net related to State Tax Reform	—			1,325
Add: Merger-related expense	49,738			—
Subtract: Litigation settlement/contingency expense	—			(2,626		)
Add/subtract: Restructuring charges, net	19			(315		)
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net	(75		)	—
Subtract/add: (Increase) decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	(858		)	3,056
Subtract: Tax effect of adjustments	(5,705		)	(27		)
Adjusted net income	$	163,305		$	104,579
Net income annualized	487,421			418,395
Adjusted net income annualized	662,293			424,126
Total average assets	45,794,621			31,245,708
Return on average assets	1.06		%	1.34		%
Adjusted return on average assets (annualized)	1.45			1.36



	Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018			March 31, 2018
Adjusted return on average common equity and adjusted return on average tangible common equity (annualized)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	117,036		$	101,919		$	100,607
Add: Income tax expense, net related to State Tax Reform	—			—			1,325
Add: Merger-related expense	49,738			3,381			—
Subtract: Litigation settlement/contingency expense	—			—			(2,626		)
Add/subtract: Restructuring charges, net	19			140			(315		)
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net	(75		)	—			—
Subtract/add: (Increase) decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	(858		)	2,084			3,056
Subtract: Tax effect of adjustments	(5,705		)	(522		)	(27		)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	160,155		$	107,002		$	102,020

Adjusted net income available to common shareholders' annualized	$	649,518		$	424,519		$	413,747
Add: Amortization of intangibles	10,317			886			906
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders excluding amortization of intangibles annualized	$	659,835		$	425,405		$	414,653

Total average shareholders' equity less preferred stock	$	4,321,561		$	2,837,740		$	2,790,878
Subtract: Goodwill	(480,215		)	(57,315		)	(57,315		)
Subtract: Other intangible assets, net	(75,191		)	(9,972		)	(10,915		)
Total average tangible shareholders' equity less preferred stock	$	3,766,155		$	2,770,453		$	2,722,648
Return on average common equity (annualized)	10.98		%	14.25		%	14.62		%
Adjusted return on average common equity (annualized)	15.03			14.96			14.82
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity (annualized)	17.52			15.36			15.23

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Table 14 - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, continued
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018			March 31, 2018
Period-end core deposits
Total deposits	$	38,075,190		$	26,720,322		$	26,253,507
Subtract: Brokered deposits	(2,709,004		)	(1,548,030		)	(2,006,577		)
Total core deposits	$	35,366,186		$	25,172,292		$	24,246,930

Tangible common equity ratio
Total assets	$	46,630,025		$	32,669,192		$	31,501,028
Subtract: Goodwill	(485,000		)	(57,315		)	(57,315		)
Subtract: Other intangible assets, net	(74,683		)	(9,875		)	(10,750		)
Tangible assets	$	46,070,342		$	32,602,002		$	31,432,963
Total shareholders' equity	$	4,597,753		$	3,133,602		$	2,956,495
Subtract: Goodwill	(485,000		)	(57,315		)	(57,315		)
Subtract: Other intangible assets, net	(74,683		)	(9,875		)	(10,750		)
Subtract: Preferred Stock, no par value	(195,140		)	(195,140		)	(125,980		)
Tangible common equity	$	3,842,930		$	2,871,272		$	2,762,450
Total shareholders' equity to total assets ratio	9.86		%	9.59		%	9.39		%
Tangible common equity ratio	8.34			8.81			8.79

CET1 ratio (fully phased-in)
CET1	$	3,790,395
Total risk-weighted assets	39,827,136
Total risk-weighted assets (fully phased-in)	39,994,724
CET1 ratio	9.52		%
CET1 ratio (fully phased-in)	9.48

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ITEM 3. – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information presented in the Market Risk Analysis section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 4. – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out by Synovus' management, with the participation of Synovus' Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of Synovus' disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on that evaluation, Synovus' Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2019, Synovus' disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There have been no material changes in Synovus' internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Synovus' internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Synovus and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and disputes that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Additionally, in the ordinary course of its business, Synovus and its subsidiaries are subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, inquiries and investigations. Synovus, like many other financial institutions, has been the target of legal actions and other proceedings asserting claims for damages and related relief for losses. These actions include mortgage loan and other loan put-back claims, claims and counterclaims asserted by individual borrowers related to their loans and allegations of violations of state and federal laws and regulations relating to banking practices, including putative class action matters. In addition to actual damages, if Synovus does not prevail in such asserted legal actions, credit-related litigation could result in additional write-downs or charge-offs of assets, which could adversely affect Synovus' results of operations during the period in which the write-down or charge-off were to occur.

Based on Synovus' current knowledge and advice of counsel, management presently does not believe that the liabilities arising from these legal matters will have a material adverse effect of Synovus' consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these legal matters could have a material adverse effect on Synovus' results of operations and financial condition for any particular period. For additional information, see "Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies" of this Report, which Note in incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 1A. – RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this Report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in "Part I - Item IA - Risk Factors” of Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K which could materially affect its business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or future results. Please be aware that these risks may change over time and other risks may prove to be important in the future. New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, or the trading price of our securities.

There are no material changes during the period covered by this Report to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. – UNREGISTERED SALES OF SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(a) None.

(b) None.

Synovus' Board of Directors authorized a $400 million share repurchase program that will expire at the end of 2019. This program was announced on January 15, 2019. The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the first quarter of 2019.



Share Repurchases
(in thousands, except per share data)	Total Number of Shares Repurchased	Average Price Paid per Share⁽¹⁾		Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 2019	350	$	36.18	350	$	387,337
February 2019	7,020	37.51		7,020	123,985
March 2019	1,115	39.45		1,115	80,002
Total	8,485	$	37.71	8,485

⁽¹⁾ The average price paid per share is calculated on a trade date basis for all open market transactions and excludes commissions and other transaction expenses.

The foregoing repurchases during the first quarter of 2019 were purchased through open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act.

ITEM 3. – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5. – OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6. – EXHIBITS




Exhibit Number			Description

2.1			Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Synovus Financial Corp., FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. and Azalea Merger Sub Corp., dated as of July 23, 2018, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Synovus' Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 23, 2018, as filed with the SEC on July 25, 2018.

3.1			Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Synovus, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Synovus’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, as filed with the SEC on August 9, 2010.

3.2			Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Synovus with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Synovus' Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 25, 2013, as filed with the SEC on July 25, 2013.

3.3			Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Synovus, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Synovus' Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2014, as filed with the SEC on April 29, 2014.

3.4			Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Synovus, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Synovus' Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 19, 2014, as filed with the SEC on May 19, 2014.

3.5			Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Synovus, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Synovus' Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 20, 2018, as filed with the SEC on June 21, 2018.

3.6			Bylaws, as amended, of Synovus, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Synovus' Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 8, 2010, as filed with the SEC on November 9, 2010.

10.1			Summary of Board of Directors Compensation.

31.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32			Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101			Interactive Data File

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



	SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.

May 3, 2019	By:	/s/ Kevin S. Blair
Date		Kevin S. Blair
		Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer
		(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)