--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):  APRIL 13, 2004

                              SunTrust Banks, Inc.
              -----------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                                      
       Georgia                        001-08918                       58-1575035
 -----------------------       -----------------------      ---------------------------------
(State of incorporation)       (Commission File Number)     (IRS Employer Identification No.)


      303 Peachtree Street, N.E.                            30308
           Atlanta, Georgia                           ------------------
---------------------------------------                   (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)


        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 404-588-7165


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

        (c) Exhibits.
            The following exhibit is furnished herewith.
            Exhibit No. 99.1 Press release.


ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

         SunTrust Banks, Inc. (the "Company") issued the press release furnished
         as Exhibit 99.1 hereto announcing the execution of a definitive
         agreement to purchase substantially all of the assets of Seix
         Investment Advisors, Inc.

         The information in the preceding paragraph, as well as Exhibit 99.1
         referenced therein, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section
         18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be
         deemed incorporated by reference in any filings under the Securities
         Act of 1933, as amended.


                                       2


                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this Current Report on Form 8-K to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.


Date: April 13, 2004                           SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.



                                               By: /s/ Kimberly N. Rhodes
                                                   ----------------------
                                                   Kimberly N. Rhodes
                                                   Vice President



                                       3