Synovus Named One of the Most Admired Companies in America by FORTUNE

Company Ranked Number Three in Consumer Credit Category

Columbus, GA, March 2, 2005 - Synovus (NYSE: "SNV"), the Columbus, Georgia-based diversified financial services company, has been named on FORTUNE magazine's annual listing of "America's Most Admired Companies" for the second straight year. Synovus ranked No. 3 in the Consumer Credit category for 2005 after being ranked No. 5 in 2004.

"To be admired by the leaders of the top companies in America is an honor and affirms our commitment to manage our business - strategically, responsibly, ethically and fairly," said Richard E. Anthony, Synovus president and chief operating officer. "Being recognized in the consumer credit category acknowledges our leadership in the credit card business, delivered through our ownership of TSYS, and our commercial and retail lending business. We are proud to be included among such a stellar group of financial services companies."

FORTUNE ranks companies based on eight attributes: innovation, financial soundness, employee talent, quality of management, use of corporate assets, long-term investment, social responsibility and quality of products/services. Scores are accumulated based on surveys from 10,000 executives, directors and securities analysts in each of the industries represented on the list.

About Synovus
Synovus (NYSE: "SNV") is a diversified financial services holding company with over $25 billion in assets based in Columbus, Georgia. Synovus provides integrated financial services including banking, financial management, insurance, mortgage and leasing services through 40 banks and other Synovus offices in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee; and electronic payment processing through an 81-percent stake in TSYS (NYSE: "TSS"), the world's largest third-party processor of international payments. Synovus has been named one of "The 100 Best Companies To Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine, and has been recognized in its Hall of Fame for consecutive appearances on the list since its inception in 1998. In 2005, Synovus was also named as one of "America's Most Admired Companies". See Synovus on the Web at www.synovus.com.

Contacts
Aimee E. Davis
Media Relations
(706) 644-0528

Patrick A. Reynolds
Investor Relations
(706) 649-4973