SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2018 March (Form 10-Q)

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, 2018

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 Series B Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C	New York Stock Exchange 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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post 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” and “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):



Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨

Non-accelerated filer	¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	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 7(a)2(B) of the Securities 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				May 3, 2018
Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value				118,640,312

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, 2018 and December 31, 2017	1
		Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	2
		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	3
		Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	4
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	5
		Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	6
	Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	34
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	61
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	61

Part II.	Other Information
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	62
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	62
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	62
	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	63
	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	63
	Item 5.	Other Information	63
	Item 6.	Exhibits	64
	Signatures		65

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SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

ALCO – Synovus' Asset Liability Management Committee

ASC – Accounting Standards Codification

ASU – Accounting Standards Update

ATM – Automatic teller machine

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 loans

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 of 1986, as amended

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

FDIC – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

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

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FFIEC – Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council

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

LTV – Loan-to-collateral value ratio

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

Parent Company – Synovus Financial Corp.

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

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' 2017 Form 10-K – Synovus' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017

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

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

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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, 2018			December 31, 2017
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	348,027		$	397,848
Interest bearing funds with Federal Reserve Bank	636,947			460,928
Interest earning deposits with banks	16,851			26,311
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements	57,192			47,846
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents⁽¹⁾	1,059,017			932,933
Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value	50,439			48,024
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value	3,990,978			3,987,069
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs	24,883,037			24,787,464
Allowance for loan losses	(257,764		)	(249,268		)
Loans, net	24,625,273			24,538,196
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance	543,684			540,958
Premises and equipment, net	424,342			426,813
Goodwill	57,315			57,315
Other intangible assets	10,750			11,254
Deferred tax asset, net	179,343			165,788
Other assets	559,887			513,487
Total assets	$	31,501,028		$	31,221,837
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing deposits	$	7,381,070		$	7,686,339
Interest bearing deposits, excluding brokered deposits	16,865,859			16,500,436
Brokered deposits	2,006,578			1,961,125
Total deposits	26,253,507			26,147,900
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	185,531			161,190
Long-term debt	1,856,392			1,706,138
Other liabilities	249,103			245,043
Total liabilities	28,544,533			28,260,271
Shareholders' Equity
Series C Preferred Stock – no par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; 5,200,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017	125,980			125,980
Common stock - $1.00 par value. Authorized 342,857,143 shares; 143,017,301 issued at March 31, 2018 and 142,677,449 issued at December 31, 2017; 118,702,497 outstanding at March 31, 2018 and 118,897,295 outstanding at December 31, 2017	143,017			142,678
Additional paid-in capital	3,039,757			3,043,129
Treasury stock, at cost – 24,314,804 shares at March 31, 2018 and 23,780,154 shares at December 31, 2017	(866,407		)	(839,674		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(107,777		)	(54,754		)
Retained earnings	621,925			544,207
Total shareholders’ equity	2,956,495			2,961,566
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	31,501,028		$	31,221,837

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

⁽¹⁾See "Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies" of this Report for information on Synovus' change in presentation of cash and cash equivalents.

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SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2018			2017
Interest income:
Loans, including fees	$	285,340		$	249,348
Investment securities available for sale	23,928			19,834
Trading account assets	54			28
Mortgage loans held for sale	379			467
Federal Reserve Bank balances	1,750			1,211
Other earning assets	1,683			1,513
Total interest income	313,134			272,401
Interest expense:
Deposits	26,375			16,958
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	107			38
Long-term debt	12,368			15,478
Total interest expense	38,850			32,474
Net interest income	274,284			239,927
Provision for loan losses	12,776			8,674
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	261,508			231,253
Non-interest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts	19,940			20,118
Fiduciary and asset management fees	13,435			12,151
Card fees	10,199			9,844
Brokerage revenue	8,695			7,226
Mortgage banking income	5,047			5,766
Income from bank-owned life insurance	4,217			3,056
Investment securities gains, net	—			7,668
Decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	(3,056		)	(1,814		)
Other fee income	4,618			4,868
Other non-interest income	3,951			2,956
Total non-interest income	67,046			71,839
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and other personnel expense	113,720			107,191
Net occupancy and equipment expense	31,480			29,331
Third-party processing expense	13,945			12,603
FDIC insurance and other regulatory fees	6,793			6,770
Professional fees	5,505			5,355
Advertising expense	5,092			5,912
Foreclosed real estate expense, net	856			2,134
Restructuring charges, net	(315		)	6,511
Other operating expenses	18,103			21,581
Total non-interest expense	195,179			197,388
Income before income taxes	133,375			105,704
Income tax expense	30,209			33,847
Net income	103,166			71,857
Dividends on preferred stock	2,559			2,559
Net income available to common shareholders	$	100,607		$	69,298
Net income per common share, basic	$	0.85		$	0.57
Net income per common share, diluted	0.84			0.56
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	118,666			122,300
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	119,321			123,059

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,
	2018									2017
(in thousands)	Before-tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount			Before-tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			Net of Tax Amount
Net income	$	133,375		$	(30,209	)	$	103,166		$	105,704		$	(33,847	)	$	71,857
Net change related to cash flow hedges:
Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income	—			—			—			65			(25		)	40
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale:
Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income	—			—			—			(7,668		)	2,952			(4,716		)
Net unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period	(61,445		)	15,914			(45,531		)	9,099			(3,503		)	5,596
Net unrealized (losses) gains	(61,445		)	15,914			(45,531		)	1,431			(551		)	880
Post-retirement unfunded health benefit:
Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income	(34		)	13			(21		)	(20		)	8			(12		)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(61,479	)	$	15,927		$	(45,552	)	$	1,476		$	(568	)	$	908
Comprehensive income							$	57,614								$	72,765

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		Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital			Treasury Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Retained Earnings			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	125,980	$	142,026	$	3,028,405		$	(664,595	)	$	(55,659	)	$	351,767		$	2,927,924
Net income	—		—		—			—			—			71,857			71,857
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	—		—		—			—			908			—			908
Cash dividends declared on common stock -$0.15 per share	—		—		—			—			—			(18,347		)	(18,347		)
Cash dividends paid on Series C Preferred Stock	—		—		—			—			—			(2,559		)	(2,559		)
Repurchases of common stock	—		—		—			(15,151		)	—			—			(15,151		)
Restricted share unit activity	—		305		(7,799		)	—			—			(290		)	(7,784		)
Stock options exercised	—		110		1,809			—			—			—			1,919
Share-based compensation expense	—		—		3,360			—			—			—			3,360
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	125,980	$	142,441	$	3,025,775		$	(679,746	)	$	(54,751	)	$	402,428		$	2,962,127

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 income, 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	—		—		—			—			—			(2,559		)	(2,559		)
Repurchases of common stock	—		—		—			(26,733		)	—			—			(26,733		)
Restricted share unit activity	—		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

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)	2018			2017
Operating Activities
Net income	$	103,166		$	71,857
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses	12,776			8,674
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion, net	14,823			14,479
Deferred income tax expense	2,599			36,014
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale	(128,618		)	(156,043		)
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale	130,805			155,245
Gain on sales of mortgage loans held for sale, net	(3,445		)	(3,560		)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(52,159		)	7,375
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	(8,466		)	4,963
Investment securities gains, net	—			(7,668		)
Share-based compensation expense	3,955			3,360
Net cash provided by operating activities	75,436			134,696

Investing Activities
Proceeds from maturities and principal collections of investment securities available for sale	139,929			163,386
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale	—			282,629
Purchases of investment securities available for sale	(211,085		)	(410,814		)
Proceeds from sales of loans	10,885			—
Proceeds from sales of other real estate	2,090			2,773
Net increase in loans	(109,180		)	(419,552		)
Purchases of bank-owned life insurance policies, net of settlements	1,523			(73,110		)
Net increase in premises and equipment	(9,212		)	(5,497		)
Proceeds from sales of other assets held for sale	—			1,328
Net cash used in investing activities	(175,050		)	(458,857		)

Financing Activities
Net (decrease) increase in demand and savings deposits	(216,836		)	364,517
Net increase in certificates of deposit	322,338			92,955
Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	24,341			(13,219		)
Repayments and redemption of long-term debt	(2,130,030		)	(275,000		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,280,000			275,000
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(17,835		)	(18,347		)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(2,559		)	(2,559		)
Stock options exercised	1,240			1,919
Repurchase of common stock	(26,733		)	(15,151		)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards	(8,228		)	(7,784		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	225,698			402,331
Increase in cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash	126,084			78,170
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period⁽¹⁾	932,933			999,045
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period⁽¹⁾	$	1,059,017		$	1,077,215

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the period for:
Income tax payments, net	$	183		$	210
Interest paid	33,431			31,714
Non-cash Activities
Loans foreclosed and transferred to other real estate	3,407			2,679
Loans transferred to other loans held for sale at fair value	5,233			8,442
ASU 2014-09 cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance of retained earnings	(685		)	—
Equity investment securities available for sale transferred to other assets at fair value	3,162			—
Securities purchased during the period but settled after period-end	—			94,560
Dividends declared on common stock during the period but paid after period-end	29,675			—

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

⁽¹⁾See "Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies" of this Report for information on Synovus' change in presentation of cash and cash equivalents.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies

Business Operations

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 some of the highest growth markets in the Southeast, with 250 branches and 328 ATMs in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee.

Basis of Presentation

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' 2017 Form 10-K.

In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows-Restricted Cash, Synovus changed its presentation of cash and cash equivalents, effective January 1, 2018, to include cash and due from banks as well as interest bearing funds with the Federal Reserve Bank, interest earning deposits with banks, and federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements, which are inclusive of any restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Prior to 2018, cash and cash equivalents only included cash and due from banks. Prior periods have been revised to maintain comparability. Excluding the aforementioned presentation change, there have been no significant changes to the accounting policies as disclosed in Synovus' 2017 Form 10-K.

In preparing the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in accordance with 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 significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the fair value of investment securities, and the fair value of private equity investments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and due from banks, interest bearing funds with the Federal Reserve Bank, interest earning deposits with banks, federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements, and is inclusive of any restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents primarily relate to cash held on deposit with the Federal Reserve to meet reserve requirements as well as cash posted as collateral for derivatives in a liability position. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, interest bearing funds with the Federal Reserve Bank included $14.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively, on deposit to meet Federal Reserve Bank requirements. Interest earning deposits with banks include $6.3 million and $5.9 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, which are pledged as collateral in connection with certain letters of credit. Federal funds sold include $32.7 million and $43.8 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, which are pledged to collateralize certain derivative financial instruments. Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements generally mature in one day.

Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, Federal Tax Reform was enacted into law. The new legislation included a decrease in the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. Under ASC 740, the effects of the changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which the new legislation is enacted. Therefore, Synovus was required to remeasure its deferred tax assets and liabilities and record the adjustment to income tax expense effective December 22, 2017. In December 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (SAB 118), which allowed companies to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date. Since Federal Tax Reform was enacted late in 2017, management expects that certain deferred tax assets and liabilities will continue to be evaluated in the context of Federal Tax Reform through the date of the filing of our 2017 federal income tax return, and may change as a result of evolving management interpretations, elections, and assumptions, as well as new guidance that may be issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Accordingly, the federal income tax expense of $47.2 million

recorded in 2017 relating to the effects from Federal Tax Reform is considered provisional. Management expects to complete its analysis within the measurement period in accordance with SAB 118.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Updates

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) issued by the FASB in May 2014, and all subsequent ASUs that modified 606. ASU 2014-09 implements a common revenue standard that establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle of the revenue model is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers control of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The scope of the guidance explicitly excludes net interest income as well as many other revenues from financial assets. Management reviewed its revenue streams and contracts with customers and did not identify material changes to the timing or amount of revenue recognition. Synovus adopted these ASUs on the required effective date of January 1, 2018 utilizing the modified retrospective method of adoption. The adoption resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of ($685) thousand to the opening balance of retained earnings. Beginning January 1, 2018, in connection with the adoption of this standard, Synovus began including merchant discounts and other card-related fees in card fees. For periods prior to January 1, 2018, these amounts were previously presented in other non-interest income and have been reclassified for comparability. See "Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 12 - Non-interest Income" for the required disclosures in accordance with this ASU.

ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In February 2018, the FASB issued final guidance on reclassification of tax effects stranded in other comprehensive income due to Federal Tax Reform. The guidance provides entities the option to reclassify the tax effects that are stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) as a result of Federal Tax Reform to retained earnings. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018; early adoption is permitted. Synovus elected to early adopt ASU 2018-02 as of January 1, 2018 and elected to reclassify the income tax effects of Federal Tax Reform from AOCI to retained earnings. For Synovus, tax effects stranded in AOCI due to Federal Tax Reform totaled $7.6 million at December 31, 2017 and primarily related to unrealized losses on the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio. The reclassification adjustment resulted in an increase to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 of $7.6 million and a corresponding decrease to AOCI for the same amount. Synovus utilizes the portfolio approach when releasing income tax effects from AOCI for its investment securities. The reclassification adjustment increased regulatory capital by $7.6 million, resulting in an approximate 3 b.p.s increase to Tier 1 capital, common equity Tier 1 capital, and total risk based capital ratios, and an approximate 2 b.p.s increase to the leverage ratio.

ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 that included targeted amendments to accounting guidance for recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or consolidated) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. This ASU requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption to reclassify the cumulative change in fair value of equity securities previously recognized in AOCI. ASU 2016-01 became effective for Synovus on January 1, 2018. The adoption of the guidance resulted in a transfer of investments in mutual funds of $3.2 million, at fair value, from investment securities available for sale to other assets and a $117 thousand cumulative-effect adjustment that decreased retained earnings, with offsetting related adjustments to deferred taxes and AOCI. ASU 2016-01 also emphasizes the existing requirement to use an exit price concept to measure fair value for disclosure purposes in determining the fair value of loans. Determination of the fair value under the exit price method requires judgment because substantially all of the loans within the loan portfolio do not have observable market prices. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on Synovus' fair value disclosures.

ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows-Restricted Cash. In November 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which addressed classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The standard requires a reconciliation of the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows to include in cash and cash equivalents amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. The ASU does not define restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents; however, the nature of the restrictions should be disclosed. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This ASU is to be applied using a retrospective transition method for each period presented. Synovus adopted ASU 2016-18 on January 1, 2018 and concurrently revised its presentation of cash and cash equivalents. For periods prior to January 1, 2018, the presentation of cash and cash equivalents has been revised to conform to the current presentation.

Reclassifications

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

Note 2 - Acquisitions

Cabela's Transaction

On September 25, 2017, Synovus' wholly owned subsidiary, Synovus Bank, completed the acquisition of certain assets and assumption of certain liabilities of World's Foremost Bank, or WFB. Immediately following the closing of this transaction, Synovus Bank sold WFB’s credit card assets and related liabilities to Capital One Bank (USA), National Association, a bank subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation.

Synovus retained WFB’s $1.10 billion brokered time deposits portfolio, which had a weighted average remaining maturity of approximately 2.53 years and a weighted average rate of 1.83% as of September 25, 2017. The transaction was accounted for as an assumption of a liability (accounted for under the asset acquisition model). In accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, the brokered time deposit portfolio was recorded at $1.10 billion, which was the amount of cash received for the deposits and represented the estimated fair value of the deposits at the transaction date. Additionally, Synovus received a $75.0 million transaction fee from Cabela’s Incorporated and Capital One, which was recognized into earnings on September 25, 2017 upon closing of the transaction, based on having achieved the recognition criteria outlined in SEC SAB Topic 13.A, Revenue Recognition.

Acquisition of Global One

On October 1, 2016, Synovus completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of Global One. Prior to its acquisition, Global One was an Atlanta-based private specialty financial services company that provided financing primarily to commercial entities, with all loans fully collateralized by cash value life insurance policies and/or annuities issued by investment grade life insurance companies. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Synovus acquired Global One for an up-front payment of $30 million, consisting of the issuance of 821 thousand shares of Synovus common stock valued at $26.6 million and $3.4 million in cash, with additional payments to Global One's former shareholders over a three to five year period based on earnings from the Global One business, as further discussed below.

The acquisition of Global One constituted a business combination. Accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values on October 1, 2016. The determination of fair value required management to make estimates about discount rates, future expected earnings and cash flows, market conditions, future loan growth, and other future events that are highly subjective in nature and subject to change. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, Synovus completed the determination of the final allocation of the purchase price with respect to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, the purchase price includes 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. The first annual Earnout Payment of stock and cash valued at $6.4 million was made during November 2017. The balance of the earnout liability at March 31, 2018 was $11.3 million based on the estimated fair value of the remaining Earnout Payments.

Note 3 - Share Repurchase Program

Note 4 - 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized below.



	March 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	122,655	$	—	$	(1,724	)	$	120,931
U.S. Government agency securities	10,769		128		—			10,897
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	115,888		237		(3,257		)	112,868
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	2,734,650		483		(71,133		)	2,664,000
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	1,102,361		—		(37,320		)	1,065,041
State and municipal securities	115		—		—			115
Corporate debt and other debt securities	17,000		274		(148		)	17,126
Total investment securities available for sale	$	4,103,438	$	1,122	$	(113,582	)	$	3,990,978

	December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	83,608	$	—	$	(934	)	$	82,674
U.S. Government agency securities	10,771		91		—			10,862
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	121,283		519		(1,362		)	120,440
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	2,666,818		5,059		(31,354		)	2,640,523
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	1,135,259		144		(23,404		)	1,111,999
State and municipal securities	180		—		—			180
Corporate debt and other securities	20,320		294		(223		)	20,391
Total investment securities available for sale	$	4,038,239	$	6,107	$	(57,277	)	$	3,987,069

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, investment securities with a carrying value of $1.01 billion and $2.00 billion, respectively, were pledged to secure certain deposits and securities sold under repurchase agreements as required by law and contractual agreements.

Synovus has reviewed investment securities that are in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 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.

Declines in the fair value of available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to have OTTI are reflected in earnings as realized losses to the extent the impairment is related to credit losses. The amount of the impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. 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. As of March 31, 2018, Synovus had 75 investment securities in a loss position for less than twelve months and 54 investment securities in a loss position for twelve months or longer.

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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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are presented below.



	March 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	$	72,694	$	989	$	29,313	$	735	$	102,007	$	1,724
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	39,763		1,045		52,763		2,212		92,526		3,257
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	1,656,562		38,195		882,984		32,938		2,539,546		71,133
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	629,793		17,650		435,247		19,670		1,065,040		37,320
Corporate debt and other debt securities	—		—		1,852		148		1,852		148
Total	$	2,398,812	$	57,879	$	1,402,159	$	55,703	$	3,800,971	$	113,582

	December 31, 2017
	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	$	34,243	$	443	$	29,562	$	491	$	63,805	$	934
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	36,810		357		55,740		1,005		92,550		1,362
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	1,271,012		10,263		929,223		21,091		2,200,235		31,354
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	653,781		9,497		426,237		13,907		1,080,018		23,404
Corporate debt and other securities	—		—		5,097		223		5,097		223
Total	$	1,995,846	$	20,560	$	1,445,859	$	36,717	$	3,441,705	$	57,277

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The amortized cost and fair value by contractual maturity of investment securities available for sale at March 31, 2018 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, 2018
(in thousands)	Within One Year		1 to 5 Years		5 to 10 Years		More Than 10 Years		Total
Amortized Cost
U.S. Treasury securities	$	18,924	$	103,731	$	—	$	—	$	122,655
U.S. Government agency securities	2,330		6,437		2,002		—		10,769
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	—		—		29,355		86,533		115,888
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	7		1,657		578,774		2,154,212		2,734,650
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	—		—		18,652		1,083,709		1,102,361
State and municipal securities	115		—		—		—		115
Corporate debt and other debt securities	—		—		15,000		2,000		17,000
Total amortized cost	$	21,376	$	111,825	$	643,783	$	3,326,454	$	4,103,438

Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	18,924	$	102,007	$	—	$	—	$	120,931
U.S. Government agency securities	2,355		6,514		2,028		—		10,897
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	—		—		28,993		83,875		112,868
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	7		1,723		565,331		2,096,939		2,664,000
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	—		—		18,218		1,046,823		1,065,041
State and municipal securities	115		—		—		—		115
Corporate debt and other debt securities	—		—		15,274		1,852		17,126
Total fair value	$	21,401	$	110,244	$	629,844	$	3,229,489	$	3,990,978

Synovus did not sell any securities available for sale during the three months ended March 31, 2018. Proceeds from sales, gross gains, and gross losses on sales of securities available for sale for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are presented below. The specific identification method is used to reclassify gains and losses out of other comprehensive income at the time of sale. On January 1, 2018, Synovus transferred $3.2 million, at fair value, from investment securities available for sale to other assets upon adoption of ASU 2016-01.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018		2017
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale	$	—	$	282,629
Gross realized gains on sales	—		7,702
Gross realized losses on sales	—		(34		)
Investment securities gains, net	$	—	$	7,668

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Note 5 - Restructuring Charges

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, total restructuring charges consist of the following components:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Severance charges	$	—		$	6,453
Other charges, net	(315		)	58
Total restructuring charges, net	$	(315	)	$	6,511

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, Synovus recorded net lease termination accrual reversals of $377 thousand related to branches closed in prior years. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, Synovus recorded severance charges of $6.5 million including $6.2 million for termination benefits incurred in conjunction with a voluntary early retirement program offered to Synovus employees during the first quarter of 2017.

The following tables present aggregate activity within the accrual for restructuring charges for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:



(in thousands)	Severance Charges			Lease Termination Charges			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	336		$	3,276		$	3,612
Accruals for lease terminations	—			(377		)	(377		)
Payments	(336		)	(393		)	(729		)
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	—		$	2,506		$	2,506



(in thousands)	Severance Charges			Lease Termination Charges			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	81		$	3,968		$	4,049
Accrual for voluntary and involuntary termination benefits	6,453			—			6,453
Payments	(219		)	(279		)	(498		)
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	6,315		$	3,689		$	10,004

All other charges were paid in the quarters in which they were incurred. No other restructuring charges resulted in payment accruals.

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Note 6 - Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

The following is a summary of current, accruing past due, and non-accrual loans by portfolio class as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



Current, Accruing Past Due, and Non-accrual Loans
	March 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
Investment properties	$	5,613,811	$	1,986	$	323	$	2,309	$	2,930	$	5,619,050
1-4 family properties	753,255		2,232		783		3,015		2,634		758,904
Land and development	449,700		3,450		49		3,499		4,574		457,773
Total commercial real estate	6,816,766		7,668		1,155		8,823		10,138		6,835,727
Commercial, financial and agricultural	7,093,270		15,872		783		16,655		81,606		7,191,531
Owner-occupied	4,901,542		3,841		936		4,777		4,067		4,910,386
Total commercial and industrial	11,994,812		19,713		1,719		21,432		85,673		12,101,917
Home equity lines	1,450,454		6,718		431		7,149		14,868		1,472,471
Consumer mortgages	2,651,758		3,905		—		3,905		7,708		2,663,371
Credit cards	223,232		1,599		1,882		3,481		—		226,713
Other consumer loans	1,595,745		9,131		229		9,360		1,694		1,606,799
Total consumer	5,921,189		21,353		2,542		23,895		24,270		5,969,354
Total loans	$	24,732,767	$	48,734	$	5,416	$	54,150	$	120,081	$	24,906,998	⁽¹	⁾

	December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Current		Accruing 30-89 Days Past Due		Accruing 90 Days or Greater Past Due		Total Accruing Past Due		Non-accrual		Total
Investment properties	$	5,663,665	$	2,506	$	90	$	2,596	$	3,804	$	5,670,065
1-4 family properties	775,023		3,545		202		3,747		2,849		781,619
Land and development	476,131		1,609		67		1,676		5,797		483,604
Total commercial real estate	6,914,819		7,660		359		8,019		12,450		6,935,288
Commercial, financial and agricultural	7,097,127		11,214		1,016		12,230		70,130		7,179,487
Owner-occupied	4,830,150		6,880		479		7,359		6,654		4,844,163
Total commercial and industrial	11,927,277		18,094		1,495		19,589		76,784		12,023,650
Home equity lines	1,490,808		5,629		335		5,964		17,455		1,514,227
Consumer mortgages	2,622,061		3,971		268		4,239		7,203		2,633,503
Credit cards	229,015		1,930		1,731		3,661		—		232,676
Other consumer loans	1,461,223		10,333		226		10,559		1,669		1,473,451
Total consumer	5,803,107		21,863		2,560		24,423		26,327		5,853,857
Total loans	$	24,645,203	$	47,617	$	4,414	$	52,031	$	115,561	$	24,812,795	⁽²	⁾

⁽¹⁾Total before net deferred fees and costs of $24.0 million.

⁽²⁾Total before net deferred fees and costs of $25.3 million.

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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.

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 Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy. Additionally, in accordance with the 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, the risk grade classifications of consumer loans (home equity lines and consumer mortgages) 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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Loan Portfolio Credit Exposure by Risk Grade
	March 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard⁽¹⁾		Doubtful⁽²⁾		Loss			Total
Investment properties	$	5,545,689	$	53,193	$	20,168	$	—	$	—		$	5,619,050
1-4 family properties	729,023		14,331		15,550		—		—			758,904
Land and development	408,128		33,858		12,654		3,133		—			457,773
Total commercial real estate	6,682,840		101,382		48,372		3,133		—			6,835,727
Commercial, financial and agricultural	6,895,133		132,582		154,863		8,953		—			7,191,531
Owner-occupied	4,778,913		55,627		75,773		73		—			4,910,386
Total commercial and industrial	11,674,046		188,209		230,636		9,026		—			12,101,917
Home equity lines	1,452,171		—		18,421		271		1,608		⁽³⁾	1,472,471
Consumer mortgages	2,654,285		—		8,951		103		32		⁽³⁾	2,663,371
Credit cards	224,831		—		564		—		1,318		⁽⁴⁾	226,713
Other consumer loans	1,604,979		—		1,556		257		7		⁽³⁾	1,606,799
Total consumer	5,936,266		—		29,492		631		2,965			5,969,354
Total loans	$	24,293,152	$	289,591	$	308,500	$	12,790	$	2,965		$	24,906,998	⁽⁵	⁾

	December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard⁽¹⁾		Doubtful⁽²⁾		Loss			Total
Investment properties	$	5,586,792	$	64,628	$	18,645	$	—	$	—		$	5,670,065
1-4 family properties	745,299		19,419		16,901		—		—			781,619
Land and development	431,759		33,766		14,950		3,129		—			483,604
Total commercial real estate	6,763,850		117,813		50,496		3,129		—			6,935,288
Commercial, financial and agricultural	6,929,506		115,912		132,818		1,251		—			7,179,487
Owner-occupied	4,713,877		50,140		80,073		73		—			4,844,163
Total commercial and industrial	11,643,383		166,052		212,891		1,324		—			12,023,650
Home equity lines	1,491,105		—		21,079		285		1,758		⁽³⁾	1,514,227
Consumer mortgages	2,622,499		—		10,607		291		106		⁽³⁾	2,633,503
Credit cards	230,945		—		399		—		1,332		⁽⁴⁾	232,676
Other consumer loans	1,470,944		—		2,168		329		10		⁽³⁾	1,473,451
Total consumer	5,815,493		—		34,253		905		3,206			5,853,857
Total loans	$	24,222,726	$	283,865	$	297,640	$	5,358	$	3,206		$	24,812,795	₍₆	₎

⁽¹⁾ Includes $204.2 million and $190.6 million of Substandard accruing loans at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

⁽²⁾ The loans within this risk grade are on non-accrual status. Commercial loans generally have an allowance for loan losses in accordance with ASC 310, and retail loans 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 Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy.

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

⁽⁶⁾Total before net deferred fees and costs of $25.3 million.

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The following table details the changes in the allowance for loan losses by loan segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018.



Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans
	As Of and For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Commercial Real Estate			Commercial & Industrial			Consumer			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	74,998		$	126,803		$	47,467		$	249,268
Charge-offs	(1,911		)	(8,015		)	(4,455		)	(14,381		)
Recoveries	5,723			3,112			1,266			10,101
Provision for loan losses	(4,819		)	12,845			4,750			12,776
Ending balance⁽¹⁾	$	73,991		$	134,745		$	49,028		$	257,764
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	3,740			14,405			797			18,942
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	70,251		$	120,340		$	48,231		$	238,822
Loans:
Ending balance: total loans⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	6,835,727		$	12,101,917		$	5,969,354		$	24,906,998
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	49,221			112,823			29,608			191,652
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	6,786,506		$	11,989,094		$	5,939,746		$	24,715,346

	As Of and For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Commercial Real Estate			Commercial & Industrial			Consumer			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	81,816		$	125,778		$	44,164		$	251,758
Charge-offs	(1,908		)	(6,893		)	(3,934		)	(12,735		)
Recoveries	2,889			1,824			1,104			5,817
Provision for loan losses	(4,483		)	6,387			6,770			8,674
Ending balance⁽¹⁾	$	78,314		$	127,096		$	48,104		$	253,514
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	6,917			11,085			1,705			19,707
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	71,397		$	116,011		$	46,399		$	233,807
Loans:
Ending balance: total loans⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾	$	7,467,288		$	11,732,701		$	5,084,199		$	24,284,188
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	79,203			120,470			35,083			234,756
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	7,388,085		$	11,612,231		$	5,049,116		$	24,049,432

⁽¹⁾As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no purchased credit-impaired loans and no allowance for loan losses for purchased credit-impaired loans.

⁽²⁾Total before net deferred fees and costs of $24.0 million.

⁽³⁾Total before net deferred fees and costs of $25.7 million.

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The tables below summarize impaired loans (including accruing TDRs) as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



Impaired Loans (including accruing TDRs)
	March 31, 2018						Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded
Investment properties	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
1-4 family properties	—		—		—		—		—
Land and development	—		—		—		37		—
Total commercial real estate	—		—		—		37		—
Commercial, financial and agricultural	9,614		12,039		—		8,682		—
Owner-occupied	—		—		—		—		—
Total commercial and industrial	9,614		12,039		—		8,682		—
Home equity lines	1,086		1,086		—		2,122		—
Consumer mortgages	2,640		2,665		—		880		—
Credit cards	—		—		—		—		—
Other consumer loans	—		—		—		—		—
Total consumer	3,726		3,751		—		3,002		—
Total impaired loans with no related allowance recorded	$	13,340	$	15,790	$	—	$	11,721	$	—
With allowance recorded
Investment properties	$	19,388	$	19,388	$	753	$	22,769	$	198
1-4 family properties	12,008		12,008		392		11,715		216
Land and development	17,825		19,565		2,595		18,133		76
Total commercial real estate	49,221		50,961		3,740		52,617		490
Commercial, financial and agricultural	65,422		65,691		12,491		67,198		273
Owner-occupied	37,787		37,841		1,914		37,715		357
Total commercial and industrial	103,209		103,532		14,405		104,913		630
Home equity lines	3,475		3,475		44		4,383		45
Consumer mortgages	17,378		17,378		447		19,106		194
Credit cards	—		—		—		—		—
Other consumer loans	5,029		5,031		306		5,391		71
Total consumer	25,882		25,884		797		28,880		310
Total impaired loans with allowance recorded	$	178,312	$	180,377	$	18,942	$	186,410	$	1,430
Total impaired loans
Investment properties	$	19,388	$	19,388	$	753	$	22,769	$	198
1-4 family properties	12,008		12,008		392		11,715		216
Land and development	17,825		19,565		2,595		18,170		76
Total commercial real estate	49,221		50,961		3,740		52,654		490
Commercial, financial and agricultural	75,036		77,730		12,491		75,880		273
Owner-occupied	37,787		37,841		1,914		37,715		357
Total commercial and industrial	112,823		115,571		14,405		113,595		630
Home equity lines	4,561		4,561		44		6,505		45
Consumer mortgages	20,018		20,043		447		19,986		194
Credit cards	—		—		—		—		—
Other consumer loans	5,029		5,031		306		5,391		71
Total consumer	29,608		29,635		797		31,882		310
Total impaired loans	$	191,652	196,167		18,942		198,131		1,430

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Impaired Loans (including accruing TDRs)
	December 31, 2017						Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded
Investment properties	$	—	—		—		123		—
1-4 family properties	—		—		—		323		—
Land and development	56		1,740		—		1,816		—
Total commercial real estate	56		1,740		—		2,262		—
Commercial, financial and agricultural	8,220		9,576		—		21,686		—
Owner-occupied	—		—		—		6,665		—
Total commercial and industrial	8,220		9,576		—		28,351		—
Home equity lines	2,746		2,943		—		1,205		—
Consumer mortgages	—		—		—		496		—
Credit cards	—		—		—		—		—
Other consumer loans	—		—		—		—		—
Total consumer	2,746		2,943		—		1,701		—
Total impaired loans with no related allowance recorded	$	11,022	14,259		—		32,314		—
With allowance recorded
Investment properties	$	23,364	23,364		1,100		28,749		1,144
1-4 family properties	15,056		15,056		504		16,257		925
Land and development	18,420		18,476		2,636		23,338		404
Total commercial real estate	56,840		56,896		4,240		68,344		2,473
Commercial, financial and agricultural	65,715		65,851		7,406		50,468		1,610
Owner-occupied	37,399		37,441		2,109		40,498		1,382
Total commercial and industrial	103,114		103,292		9,515		90,966		2,992
Home equity lines	5,096		5,096		114		7,476		334
Consumer mortgages	18,668		18,668		569		19,144		896
Credit cards	—		—		—		—		—
Other consumer loans	5,546		5,546		470		4,765		266
Total consumer	29,310		29,310		1,153		31,385		1,496
Total impaired loans with allowance recorded	$	189,264	189,498		14,908		190,695		6,961
Total impaired loans
Investment properties	$	23,364	23,364		1,100		28,872		1,144
1-4 family properties	15,056		15,056		504		16,580		925
Land and development	18,476		20,216		2,636		25,154		404
Total commercial real estate	56,896		58,636		4,240		70,606		2,473
Commercial, financial and agricultural	73,935		75,427		7,406		72,154		1,610
Owner-occupied	37,399		37,441		2,109		47,163		1,382
Total commercial and industrial	111,334		112,868		9,515		119,317		2,992
Home equity lines	7,842		8,039		114		8,681		334
Consumer mortgages	18,668		18,668		569		19,640		896
Credit cards	—		—		—		—		—
Other consumer loans	5,546		5,546		470		4,765		266
Total consumer	32,056		32,253		1,153		33,086		1,496
Total impaired loans	$	200,286	$	203,757	$	14,908	$	223,009	$	6,961

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The average recorded investment in impaired loans was $235.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Excluding accruing TDRs, there was no interest income recognized for the investment in impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Interest income recognized for accruing TDRs was $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, impaired loans of $62.2 million and $49.0 million, respectively, were on non-accrual status.

Concessions provided in a TDR are primarily in the form of providing a below market interest rate given the borrower's credit risk, a period of time generally less than one year with a reduction of required principal and/or interest payments (e.g., interest only for a period of time), or an extension of the maturity of the loan generally for less than one year. Insignificant periods of reduction of principal and/or interest payments, or one-time deferrals of 3 months or less, are generally not considered to be financial concessions.

The following tables represent, by concession type, the post-modification balance for loans modified or renewed during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 that were reported as accruing or non-accruing TDRs.



TDRs by Concession Type
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands, except contract data)	Number of Contracts	Principal Forgiveness		Below Market Interest Rate		Term Extensions and/or Other Concessions		Total
Investment properties	1	$	—	$	—	$	1,959	$	1,959
1-4 family properties	6	—		963		—		963
Total commercial real estate	7	—		963		1,959		2,922
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
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	⁽¹	⁾

⁽¹⁾No net charge-offs were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2018 upon restructuring of these loans.



TDRs by Concession Type
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(in thousands, except contract data)	Number of Contracts	Principal Forgiveness		Below Market Interest Rate		Term Extensions and/or Other Concessions		Total
1-4 family properties	8	—		1,611		317		1,928
Total commercial real estate	8	—		1,611		317		1,928
Commercial, financial and agricultural	18	—		3,865		5,539		9,404
Total commercial and industrial	18	—		3,865		5,539		9,404
Other consumer loans	3	—		—		275		275
Total consumer	3	—		—		275		275
Total TDRs	29	$	—	$	5,476	$	6,131	$	11,607	⁽²	⁾

⁽²⁾ No net charge-offs were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017 upon restructuring of these loans.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 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, 2018, the allowance for loan losses allocated to accruing TDRs totaling $129.4 million was $6.1 million compared to accruing TDRs of $151.3 million with an allocated allowance for loan losses of $8.7 million at December 31, 2017. 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.

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Note 7 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables illustrate activity within the balances in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.



Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Net of Income Taxes)
(in thousands)	Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges			Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale			Post-retirement unfunded health benefit			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	(12,137	)	$	(43,470	)	$	853		$	(54,754	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			(45,531		)	—			(45,531		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			(21		)	(21		)
Net current period other comprehensive income	—			(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	)



Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Net of Income Taxes)
(in thousands)	Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges			Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale			Post-retirement unfunded health benefit			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(12,217	)	$	(44,324	)	$	882		$	(55,659	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			5,596			—			5,596
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	40			(4,716		)	(12		)	(4,688		)
Net current period other comprehensive income	40			880			(12		)	908
Balance as of March 31, 2017	$	(12,177	)	$	(43,444	)	$	870		$	(54,751	)

In accordance with ASC 740-20-45-11(b), a deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with unrealized gains and losses not recognized in income is charged directly to other comprehensive income (loss). During the years 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 for allocation of the valuation allowance. Synovus has consistently applied the portfolio approach which treats derivative instruments and available for sale securities as a single portfolio. As of March 31, 2018, the ending balance in net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges and net unrealized gains (losses) on 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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Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)						Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Amortization of deferred losses	$	—		$	(65	)	Interest expense
	—			25			Income tax (expense) benefit
	$	—		$	(40	)	Reclassifications, net of income taxes

Net unrealized gains on investment securities available for sale:
Realized gains on sale of securities	$	—		$	7,668		Investment securities gains, net
	—			(2,952		)	Income tax (expense) benefit
	$	—		$	4,716		Reclassifications, net of income taxes
Post-retirement unfunded health benefit:
Amortization of actuarial gains	$	34		$	20		Salaries and other personnel expense
	(13		)	(8		)	Income tax (expense) benefit
	$	21		$	12		Reclassifications, net of income taxes

Note 8 - Fair Value Accounting

Synovus carries various assets and liabilities at fair value based on the fair value accounting guidance under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, and ASC 825, Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an “exit price”) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

Fair Value Hierarchy

Synovus determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established under ASC 820-10, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the financial instrument's fair value measurement in its entirety. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs of the valuation hierarchy are defined below:



Level 1	Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities for the instrument or security to be valued. Level 1 assets include U.S. Treasury securities and mutual funds.
Level 2	Observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active or model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined by using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. U.S. Government sponsored agency securities, mortgage-backed securities issued by GSEs and agencies, obligations of states and municipalities, collateralized mortgage obligations issued by GSEs, and mortgage loans held-for-sale are generally included in this category.
Level 3	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and may also include the use of market prices of assets or liabilities that are not directly comparable to the subject asset or liability. These methods of valuation may result in a significant portion of the fair value being derived from unobservable assumptions that reflect Synovus' own estimates for assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. This category primarily includes collateral-dependent impaired loans, other loans held for sale, other real estate, certain corporate securities, private equity investments, GGL/SBA loan servicing assets, and the earnout liability.

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See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 15 - Fair Value Accounting" to the consolidated financial statements of Synovus' 2017 Form 10-K for a description of 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 table presents all financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, according to the valuation hierarchy included in ASC 820-10. For debt securities, class was determined based on the nature and risks of the investments. Synovus did not have any transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and year ended December 31, 2017.



	March 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	$	—	$	25,971	$	—	$	25,971
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		240		—		240
State and municipal securities	—		40		—		40
Total trading securities	$	—	$	26,251	$	—	$	26,251
Mortgage loans held for sale	—		50,439		—		50,439

Investment securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	120,931		—		—		120,931
U.S. Government agency securities	—		10,897		—		10,897
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	—		112,868		—		112,868
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		2,664,000		—		2,664,000
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	—		1,065,041		—		1,065,041
State and municipal securities	—		115		—		115
Corporate debt and other debt securities⁽¹⁾	—		15,274		1,852		17,126
Total investment securities available for sale	$	120,931	$	3,868,195	$	1,852	$	3,990,978
Private equity investments	—		—		12,715		12,715
Mutual funds	3,131		—		—		3,131
Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts	13,385		—		—		13,385
GGL/SBA loans servicing asset	—		—		3,971		3,971
Derivative assets:
Interest rate contracts	—		7,672		—		7,672
Mortgage derivatives⁽²⁾	—		1,735		—		1,735
Total derivative assets	$	—	$	9,407	$	—	$	9,407
Liabilities
Trading account liabilities	—		23,856		—		23,856
Earnout liability⁽³⁾	—		—		11,348		11,348
Derivative liabilities:
Interest rate contracts	—		16,122		—		16,122
Visa derivative	—		—		3,974		3,974
Total derivative liabilities	$	—	$	16,122	$	3,974	$	20,096

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	December 31, 2017
(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	$	—	$	3,002	$	—	$	3,002
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		296		—		296
Other investments	522		—		—		522
Total trading securities	$	522	$	3,298	$	—	$	3,820
Mortgage loans held for sale	—		48,024		—		48,024

Investment securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	82,674		—		—		82,674
U.S. Government agency securities	—		10,862		—		10,862
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies	—		120,440		—		120,440
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	—		2,640,523		—		2,640,523
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	—		1,111,999		—		1,111,999
State and municipal securities	—		180		—		180
Corporate debt and other securities⁽¹⁾	3,162		15,294		1,935		20,391
Total investment securities available for sale	$	85,836	$	3,899,298	$	1,935	$	3,987,069
Private equity investments	—		—		15,771		15,771
Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts	14,140		—		—		14,140
GGL/SBA loan servicing asset	—		—		4,101		4,101
Derivative assets:
Interest rate contracts	—		10,786		—		10,786
Mortgage derivatives⁽²⁾	—		936		—		936
Total derivative assets	$	—	$	11,722	$	—	$	11,722
Liabilities
Trading account liabilities	—		1,000		—		1,000
Earnout liability⁽³⁾	—		—		11,348		11,348
Derivative liabilities:
Interest rate contracts	—		12,638		—		12,638
Mortgage derivatives⁽²⁾	—		129		—		129
Visa derivative	—		—		4,330		4,330
Total derivative liabilities	$	—	$	12,767	$	4,330	$	17,097

⁽¹⁾ Based on an analysis of the nature and risks of these investments, Synovus has determined that presenting these investments as a single asset class is appropriate.

⁽²⁾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.

⁽³⁾Earnout liability consists of contingent consideration obligation related to the Global One acquisition.

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Fair Value Option

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. Mortgage loans held for sale are initially measured at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Changes in fair value are recorded as a component of mortgage banking income in the consolidated statements of income. An immaterial portion of these changes in fair value was attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk.



Changes in Fair Value Included in Net Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018		2017
Mortgage loans held for sale	$	115	$	1,203



Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
(in thousands)	As of March 31, 2018		As of December 31, 2017
Fair value	$	50,439	$	48,024
Unpaid principal balance	49,139		46,839
Fair value less aggregate unpaid principal balance	$	1,300	$	1,185

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Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements and Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

As noted above, Synovus uses significant unobservable inputs in determining the fair value of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The table below includes a roll-forward of the amounts on the consolidated balance sheet for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (including the change in fair value) for financial instruments of a material nature that are classified by Synovus within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Transfers between fair value levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period in which the associated changes in inputs occur. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, Synovus did not have any transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy.



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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Investment Securities Available for Sale		Private Equity Investments			Visa Derivative			Earnout Liability⁽¹⁾			GGL / SBA Loans Servicing Asset⁽²⁾
Beginning balance, January 1, 2017	$	1,796	$	25,493		$	(5,768	)	$	(14,000	)	$	—
Total gains (losses) realized/unrealized:
Included in earnings	—		(1,814		)	—			—			—
Unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income	55		—			—			—			—
Settlements	—		—			356			—			—
Transfer from amortization method to fair value	—		—			—			—			4,178
Measurement period adjustments related to Global One acquisition	$	—	—			—			2,579			—
Ending balance, March 31, 2017	$	1,851	$	23,679		$	(5,412	)	$	(11,421	)	$	4,178
Total net (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets still held at March 31, 2017	$	—	$	(1,814	)	$	—		$	—		$	—

⁽¹⁾Earnout liability consists of contingent consideration obligation related to the Global One acquisition.

⁽²⁾ Effective January 1, 2017, Synovus elected the fair value option for determining the value of the GGL/SBA loans servicing asset. Prior to 2017, Synovus accounted for the GGL/SBA loans servicing asset using the amortization method.

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			March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
	Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Input	Level 3 Fair Value	Range/Weighted Average	Level 3 Fair Value	Range/Weighted Average
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Investment Securities Available for Sale - Other Investments:

Trust preferred securities	Discounted cash flow analysis	Credit spread embedded in discount rate	$1,852	439 bps	$1,935	398 bps

Private equity investments	Individual analysis of each investee company	Multiple factors, including but not limited to, current operations, financial condition, cash flows, evaluation of business management and financial plans, and recently executed financing transactions related to the investee companies	12,715	N/A	15,771	N/A

GGL/SBA loans servicing asset	Discounted cash flow analysis	Discount rate Prepayment speeds	3,971	13.57% 7.98%	4,101	13.16% 7.50%

Earnout liability	Option pricing methods and Monte Carlo simulation	Financial projections of Global One	11,348	N/A	11,348	N/A

Visa derivative liability	Discounted cash flow analysis	Estimated timing of resolution of covered litigation, future cumulative deposits to the litigation escrow for settlement of the covered litigation, and estimated future monthly fees payable to the derivative counterparty	3,974	1-4 years	4,330	1-4 years

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Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain assets are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis. Non-recurring fair value adjustments typically are a result of the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or a write-down occurring during the period. 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.



	March 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Impaired loans^*	$	—	$	—	$	4,531	$	4,531	$	—	$	—	$	3,603	$	3,603
Other loans held for sale	—		—		3,295		3,295		—		—		10,197		10,197
Other real estate	—		—		1,447		1,447		—		—		3,363		3,363
Other assets held for sale	—		—		1,395		1,395		—		—		5,334		5,334

^*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 sheet. The carrying value of ORE at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was $4.5 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

The following table presents fair value adjustments recognized in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 for assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis still held at period-end.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018		2017
Impaired loans^*	$	720	$	2,230
Other loans held for sale	1,512		3,519
Other real estate	731		399
Other assets held for sale	107		238

^*Collateral-dependent impaired loans that were written down to fair value during the period.

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The table below provides an overview of the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in those techniques to measure financial instruments that are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy and are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The range of sensitivities that management utilized in its fair value calculations is deemed acceptable in the industry with respect to the identified financial instruments.



			March 31, 2018	December 31, 2017
	Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)⁽¹⁾	Range (Weighted Average)⁽¹⁾
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis

Collateral dependent impaired loans	Third-party appraised value of collateral less estimated selling costs	Discount to appraised value ⁽²⁾ Estimated selling costs	0% - 23% (9%) 0% - 10% (7%)	0%-50% (15%) 0%-10% (7%)

Other loans held for sale	Third-party appraised value of collateral less estimated selling costs	Discount to appraised value ⁽²⁾ Estimated selling costs	0% - 85% (30%) 0% - 10% (2%)	5% - 99% (54%) 0% - 10% (2%)

Other real estate	Third-party appraised value of real estate less estimated selling costs	Discount to appraised value ⁽²⁾ Estimated selling costs	0% - 39% (21%) 0% - 10% (7%)	0%-85% (35%) 0%-10% (7%)

Other assets held for sale	Third-party appraised value less estimated selling costs or BOV	Discount to appraised value ⁽²⁾ Estimated selling costs	N/A 0%-10% (7%)	21%-52% (25%) 0%-10% (7%)

⁽¹⁾The range represents management's estimate of the high and low of the value that would be assigned to a particular input. For assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, the weighted average is the measure of central tendencies; it is not the value that management is using for the asset or liability.

⁽²⁾Synovus also makes adjustments to the values of the assets listed above for reasons including age of the appraisal, information known by management about the property, such as occupancy rates, changes to the physical condition of the property, and other factors.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying and fair values of financial instruments at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The fair values represent management’s estimates based on various methodologies and assumptions. For financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value on the balance sheet, such as loans held for investment, interest bearing deposits (including brokered deposits), and long-term debt, the fair value amounts should not be taken as an estimate of the amount that would be realized if all such financial instruments were to be settled immediately.

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The carrying and estimated fair values of financial instruments, as well as the level within the fair value hierarchy, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows:



	March 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	$	1,059,017	$	1,059,017	$	1,059,017	$	—	$	—
Trading account assets	26,251		26,251		—		26,251		—
Mortgage loans held for sale	50,439		50,439		—		50,439		—
Other loans held for sale	6,591		6,591		—		—		6,591
Investment securities available for sale	3,990,978		3,990,978		120,931		3,868,195		1,852
Private equity investments	12,715		12,715		—		—		12,715
Mutual funds	3,131		3,131		3,131		—		—
Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts	13,385		13,385		13,385		—		—
Loans, net	24,625,273		24,538,259		—		—		24,538,259
GGL/SBA loans servicing asset	3,971		3,971		—		—		3,971
Derivative assets	9,407		9,407		—		9,407		—

Financial liabilities
Trading account liabilities	23,856		—		—		23,856		—

Non-interest bearing deposits	7,381,070		7,381,070		—		7,381,070		—
Non-time interest bearing deposits	14,030,247		14,030,247		—		14,030,247		—
Time deposits	4,842,190		4,834,135		—		4,834,135		—
Total deposits	$	26,253,507	$	26,245,452	$	—	$	26,245,452	$	—
Federal funds purchased, other short-term borrowings and other short-term liabilities	185,531		185,531		185,531		—		—
Long-term debt	1,856,392		1,861,008		—		1,861,008		—
Earnout liabilities	11,348		11,348		—		—		11,348
Derivative liabilities	20,096		20,096		—		16,122		3,974

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	December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	$	932,933	$	932,933	$	932,933	$	—	$	—
Trading account assets	3,820		3,820		522		3,298		—
Mortgage loans held for sale	48,024		48,024		—		48,024		—
Other loans for sale	11,356		11,356		—		—		11,356
Investment securities available for sale	3,987,069		3,987,069		85,836		3,899,298		1,935
Private equity investments	15,771		15,771		—		—		15,771
Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts	14,140		14,140		14,140		—		—
Loans, net	24,538,196		24,507,141		—		—		24,507,141
GGL/SBA loans servicing asset	4,101		4,101		—		—		4,101
Derivative assets	11,722		11,722		—		11,722		—

Financial liabilities
Trading account liabilities	1,000		1,000		—		1,000		—

Non-interest bearing deposits	7,686,339		7,686,339		—		7,686,339		—
Non-time interest bearing deposits	13,941,814		13,941,814		—		13,941,814		—
Time deposits	4,519,747		4,523,661		—		4,523,661		—
Total deposits	$	26,147,900	$	26,151,814	$	—	$	26,151,814	$	—
Federal funds purchased, other short-term borrowings and other short-term liabilities	161,190		161,190		161,190		—		—
Long-term debt	1,706,138		1,721,814		—		1,721,814		—
Earnout liabilities	11,348		11,348		—		—		11,348
Derivative liabilities	17,097		17,097		—		12,767		4,330

Note 9 - 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. These interest rate swap transactions generally involve the exchange of fixed and floating interest rate payment obligations without the exchange of underlying principal amounts. Swaps may be designated as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges, as discussed below. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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.

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Customer Related Derivative Positions

Synovus enters into interest rate swap agreements to facilitate the risk management strategies of a small number of commercial banking customers. Synovus mitigates this risk by entering into equal and offsetting interest rate swap agreements with highly rated counterparties. The interest rate swap agreements are free-standing derivatives and are recorded at fair value on Synovus' consolidated balance sheet. Fair value changes are recorded as a component of non-interest income. As of March 31, 2018, the notional amount of customer related interest rate derivative financial instruments, including both the customer position and the offsetting position, was $1.55 billion, an increase of $82.0 million compared to December 31, 2017.

Visa Derivative

In conjunction with the sale of Class B shares of common stock issued by Visa to Synovus as a Visa USA member, Synovus entered into a derivative contract with the purchaser, which provides for settlements between the parties based upon a change in the ratio for conversion of Visa Class B shares to Visa Class A shares. The conversion ratio changes when Visa deposits funds to a litigation escrow established by Visa to pay settlements for certain litigation, for which Visa is indemnified by Visa USA members. The litigation escrow is funded by proceeds from Visa’s conversion of Class B shares. The fair value of the derivative contract was $4.0 million and $4.3 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The fair value of the derivative contract is determined based on management's estimate of the timing and amount of the Covered Litigation settlement, and the resulting payments due to the counterparty under the terms of the contract. Management believes that the estimate of Synovus' exposure to the Visa indemnification and fees associated with the Visa derivative is adequate based on current information, including Visa's recent announcements and disclosures. However, future developments in the litigation could require potentially significant changes to Synovus' estimate. See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 18 - Visa Shares and Related Agreements" of Synovus' 2017 Form 10-K for further information.

Mortgage Derivatives

Synovus originates first lien residential mortgage loans for sale into the secondary market. Mortgage loans are sold by Synovus for conversion to securities and the servicing of these loans is generally sold to a third-party servicing aggregator, or Synovus sells the mortgage loans as whole loans to investors either individually or in bulk on a servicing released basis.

Synovus enters into interest rate lock commitments for residential mortgage loans which commits it to lend funds to a potential borrower at a specific interest rate and within a specified period of time. Interest rate lock commitments that relate to the origination of mortgage loans that, if originated, will be held for sale, are considered derivative financial instruments under applicable accounting guidance. Outstanding interest rate lock commitments expose Synovus to the risk that the price of the mortgage loans underlying the commitments may decline due to increases in mortgage interest rates from inception of the rate lock to the funding of the loan.

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Synovus had commitments to fund at a locked interest rate, primarily fixed-rate mortgage loans to customers in the amount of $93.1 million and $49.3 million, respectively. Fair value adjustments related to these commitments resulted in a gain of $192 thousand and $674 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which was recorded as a component of mortgage banking income in the consolidated statements of income.

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, outstanding commitments to sell primarily fixed-rate mortgage loans amounted to $113.0 million and $72.5 million, respectively. Such commitments are entered into to reduce the exposure to market risk arising from potential changes in interest rates, which could affect the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale and outstanding rate lock commitments, which guarantee a certain interest rate if the loan is ultimately funded or granted by Synovus as a mortgage loan held for sale. The commitments to sell mortgage loans are at fixed prices and are scheduled to settle at specified dates that generally do not exceed 90 days. Fair value adjustments related to these outstanding commitments to sell mortgage loans resulted in a gain of $735 thousand and a loss of $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which were recorded as a component of mortgage banking income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

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, 2018, collateral totaling $32.7 million of federal funds sold was pledged to the derivative counterparties to comply with collateral requirements. Effective January 3, 2017, the CME amended its rulebook to legally characterize variation margin cash payments for cleared OTC derivatives as settlement rather than as collateral. As a result, in 2017, Synovus began reducing the corresponding derivative asset and liability balances for CME-cleared OTC derivatives to reflect the settlement of those positions via the exchange of variation margin. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Synovus had a variation margin of $8.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively, reducing the derivative asset.

The impact of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is presented below.

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	Fair Value of Derivative Assets					Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities
(in thousands)	Location on Consolidated Balance Sheets	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		Location on Consolidated Balance Sheets	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate contracts	Other assets	$	7,672	$	10,786	Other liabilities	$	16,122	$	12,638
Mortgage derivatives	Other assets	1,735		936		Other liabilities	—		129
Visa derivative		—		—		Other liabilities	3,974		4,330
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	9,407	$	11,722		$	20,096	$	17,097

The pre-tax effect of fair value hedges on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is presented below.



		Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
(in thousands)		Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income	2018		2017
Interest rate contracts⁽¹⁾	Other non-interest income	$	7	$	(1	)
Mortgage derivatives⁽²⁾	Mortgage banking income	927		(1,784		)
Total		$	934	$	(1,785	)

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

⁽²⁾ Gain (loss) represents net fair value adjustments recorded for interest rate lock commitments and commitments to sell mortgage loans to third-party investors.

Note 10 - 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, 2018 and 2017.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2018		2017
Basic Net Income Per Common Share:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	100,607	$	69,298
Weighted average common shares outstanding	118,666		122,300
Net income per common share, basic	$	0.85	$	0.57
Diluted Net Income Per Common Share:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	100,607	$	69,298
Weighted average common shares outstanding	118,666		122,300
Potentially dilutive shares from outstanding equity-based awards and Earnout Payments	655		759
Weighted average diluted common shares	119,321		123,059
Net income per common share, diluted	$	0.84	$	0.56

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income 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 and restricted share units 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, 2018 and 2017 there were 2.2 million potentially dilutive shares related to the Warrant to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding during 2018 and 2017 but were not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Note 11 - Share-based Compensation

General Description of Share-based Plans

Synovus has a long-term incentive plan under which the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has the authority to grant share-based awards to Synovus employees. The 2013 Omnibus Plan authorizes 8.6 million common share equivalents available for grant, where grants of options count as one share equivalent and grants of full value awards (e.g., restricted share units, market restricted share units, and performance share units) count as two share equivalents. Any restricted share units that are forfeited and options that expire unexercised will again become available for issuance under the Plan. At March 31, 2018, Synovus had a total of 4.9 million shares of its authorized but unissued common stock reserved for future grants under the 2013 Omnibus Plan. The Plan permits grants of share-based compensation including stock options, restricted share units, market restricted share units, and performance share units. The grants generally include vesting periods ranging from three to five years and contractual terms of ten years. Vesting for grants made in 2018 accelerates upon retirement for plan participants who have reached age 65 and who also have no less than 10 years of service at the date of their election to retire. Market restricted share units and performance share units are granted at a defined target level and are compared annually to required market and performance metrics to determine actual units vested and compensation expense. Synovus has historically issued new shares to satisfy share option exercises and share unit conversions. Dividend equivalents are paid on outstanding restricted share units, market restricted share units, and performance share units in the form of additional restricted share units that vest over the same vesting period or the vesting period left on the original restricted share unit grant.

Share-based Compensation Expense

Total share-based compensation expense was $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Accelerated share-based compensation expense associated with the provision in 2018 of a retirement vesting provision was approximately $170 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018 for retirement eligible employees.

Stock Options

No stock option grants were made during the three months ended March 31, 2018. At March 31, 2018, there were 693 thousand outstanding stock options to purchase shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $16.94 per share.

Restricted Share Units, Performance Share Units, and Market Restricted Share Units

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Synovus awarded 213 thousand restricted share units that have a service-based vesting period of three years and awarded 87 thousand performance share units that vest upon service and performance conditions. Synovus also granted 58 thousand market restricted share units during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The weighted average grant-date fair value of the awarded restricted share units, performance share units and market restricted share units was $47.43 per share. Market restricted share units and performance share units are granted at target and are compared annually to required market and performance metrics. The performance share units vest upon meeting certain service and performance conditions. Return on average assets (ROAA) and return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) performance is evaluated each year over a three-year performance period, with share distribution determined at the end of the three years. The number of performance share units that will ultimately vest ranges from 0% to 150% of target based on Synovus' three-year weighted average ROAA (as defined) and ROATCE (as defined). The market restricted share units have a three-year service-based vesting component as well as a total shareholder return multiplier. The number of market restricted share units that will ultimately vest ranges from 75% to 125% of target based on Synovus' total shareholder return. At March 31, 2018, including dividend equivalents granted, there were 921 thousand restricted share units, performance share units and market restricted share units outstanding with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $39.94 per share.

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Note 12 - Non-interest Income

The following table reflects revenue disaggregated by revenue type and line of business for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.



Non-interest Income by Line of Business	For Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Total		Community Banking		Corporate Banking		Retail Banking		Financial Management Services		Other
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	19,940	$	5,680	$	533	$	13,422	$	—	$	305
Fiduciary and asset management fees	13,435		—		—		—		13,435		—
Card fees	10,199		205		—		9,994		—		—
Brokerage revenue	8,695		—		—		—		8,695		—
Insurance revenue	1,213		—		—		—		1,213		—
Other fees	832		—		—		559		—		273
	$	54,314	$	5,885	$	533	$	23,975	$	23,343	$	578

Other revenues⁽¹⁾	12,732		2,452		1,733		1,529		5,843		1,175
Total non-interest income	$	67,046	$	8,337	$	2,266	$	25,504	$	29,186	$	1,753



Non-interest Income by Line of Business	For Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Total		Community Banking		Corporate Banking		Retail Banking		Financial Management Services		Other
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	20,118	$	5,771	$	459	$	13,437	$	—	$	451
Fiduciary and asset management fees	12,151		—		—		—		12,151		—
Card fees	9,844		219		—		9,625		—		—
Brokerage revenue	7,226		—		—		—		7,226		—
Insurance revenue	1,304		—		—		—		1,304		—
Other fees	842		—		—		574		—		268
	$	51,485	$	5,990	$	459	$	23,636	$	20,681	$	719

Other revenues⁽¹⁾	20,354		1,648		1,619		1,566		6,597		8,924
Total non-interest income	$	71,839	$	7,638	$	2,078	$	25,202	$	27,278	$	9,643

⁽¹⁾ Other revenues primarily relate to revenues not derived from contracts with customers.

Following is a discussion of key revenues within the scope of the new revenue guidance:

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

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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: Insurance revenue primarily consists of commissions received on annuity and life product sales. Synovus acts as an intermediary between the customer and the insurance carrier. Synovus' performance obligation is generally satisfied upon the issuance of the insurance policy; thus, revenue is recognized upon issuance of the policy. Shortly after the policy is issued, the carrier remits the commission payment to Synovus. Synovus earns an insignificant amount of trailer fees on sales of insurance products.

Other Fees: Other fees primarily consist of revenues generated from safe deposit box rental fees and lockbox services. Fees are recognized over time, on a monthly basis, as Synovus' performance obligation for services is satisfied. Payment is received upfront for safe deposit box rentals and in the following month for lockbox services.

Contract Balances

A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration (resulting in a contract receivable) or before payment is due (resulting in a contract asset). A contract liability balance is an entity's obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment (or payment is due) from the customer. Synovus' non-interest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity, or standard month-end revenue accruals such as asset management fees based on month-end market values. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after Synovus satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. Synovus does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Synovus did not have any significant contract balances.

Note 13 - 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.

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) may 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 sheet. Additionally, unearned fees relating to letters of credit are recorded within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. These amounts are not material to Synovus' consolidated balance sheet.

Unfunded letters of credit and lending commitments at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are presented below.



(in thousands)	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Letters of credit*	$	175,164	$	153,372
Commitments to fund commercial and industrial loans	5,143,323		5,090,827
Commitments to fund commercial real estate, construction, and land development loans	1,541,810		1,567,583
Commitments under home equity lines of credit	1,156,283		1,137,714
Unused credit card lines	780,704		779,254
Other loan commitments	369,636		351,358
Total unfunded lending commitments and letters of credit	$	9,166,920	$	9,080,108

* Represent the contractual amount net of risk participations of approximately $60 million and $77 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

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, 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 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 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

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accrual. 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, 2018 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 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.

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

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(4)		the risk that our enterprise risk management framework may not identify or address risks adequately, which may result in unexpected losses;



(5)		the risk that our allowance for loan losses may prove to be inadequate or may be negatively affected by credit risk exposures;



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



(7)		changes in the 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;



(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 reliance on third parties to 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 of a third-party vendor;



(11)		risks related to the ability of our operational framework to manage risks associated with our business such as credit risk and operational risk, including third-party vendors and other service providers, which could among other things, result in a breach of operating or security systems as a result of cyber attacks or similar acts;



(12)		our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks such as data security breaches, malware, "denial of service" attacks, "ransomware", "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 impact of recent and proposed changes in governmental policy, laws and regulations, including proposed and recently enacted changes in the regulation of banks and financial institutions, or the interpretation or application thereof and the uncertainty of future implementation and enforcement of these regulations;



(14)		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;



(15)		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;



(16)		the risk that we may be exposed to potential losses in the event of fraud and/or theft;



(17)		the risk that we may not be able to identify suitable acquisition targets or strategic partners as part of our growth strategy and even if we are able to identify suitable acquisition counterparties, we may not be able to complete such transactions on favorable terms, if at all, or successfully integrate acquired bank or nonbank operations into our existing operations 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)		the risks that if economic conditions worsen or regulatory capital rules are modified, or the results of mandated “stress testing” do not satisfy certain criteria, we may be required to undertake initiatives to improve our capital position;



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



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

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



(24)		risks related to recent and proposed changes in the mortgage banking industry, including the risk that we may be required to repurchase mortgage loans sold to third parties and the impact of the “ability to pay” and “qualified mortgage” rules on our loan origination process and foreclosure proceedings;



(25)		the risk that we may be required to take additional charges with respect to our deferred tax assets as a result of Federal Tax Reform in the event our estimates prove false;



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



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



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



(29)		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' 2017 Form 10-K and our other periodic filings, including quarterly 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 written or oral, 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 250 branches and 328 ATMs in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, 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, 2018 and financial condition as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. 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’ 2017 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 the nature of our financial performance.

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DISCUSSION OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Financial Highlights



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	2018			2017			Change
Net interest income	$	274,284		$	239,927		14.3	%
Provision for loan losses	12,776			8,674			47.3
Non-interest income	67,046			71,839			(6.7	)
Adjusted non-interest income⁽¹⁾	70,102			65,985			6.2
Total revenues ⁽²⁾	341,330			304,098			12.2
Non-interest expense	195,179			197,388			(1.1	)
Adjusted non-interest expense⁽¹⁾	197,828			190,608			3.8
Income before income taxes	133,375			105,704			26.2
Net income	103,166			71,857			43.6
Net income available to common shareholders	100,607			69,298			45.2
Net income per common share, basic	0.85			0.57			48.7
Net income per common share, diluted	0.84			0.56			49.7
Adjusted net income per common share, diluted⁽¹⁾	0.86			0.57			50.9
Net interest margin⁽³⁾	3.78		%	3.42		%	36	bps
Net charge-off ratio⁽³⁾	0.07			0.12			(5	)
Return on average assets⁽³⁾	1.34			0.96			38
Adjusted return on average assets⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾	1.36			0.97			39
Efficiency ratio	57.16			64.84			(768	)
Adjusted efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾	57.42			62.25			(483	)

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

⁽²⁾Consists of net interest income and non-interest income excluding investment securities gains (losses), net.

⁽³⁾Annualized



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017			Sequential Quarter Change			March 31, 2017			Year-Over-Year Change
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs	$	24,883,037		$	24,787,464		$	95,573		$	24,258,468		$	624,569
Total average loans	24,852,399			24,611,646			240,753			24,035,980			816,419
Total deposits	26,253,507			26,147,900			105,607			25,105,712			1,147,795
Total average deposits	25,788,073			26,286,009			(497,936		)	24,918,855			869,218
Average non-time core deposits⁽¹⁾	20,796,838			20,917,231			(120,393		)	20,292,762			504,076

Non-performing assets ratio	0.53		%	0.53		%	—			0.77		%	(24		) bps
Non-performing loans ratio	0.48			0.47			1			0.65			(17		)
Past due loans over 90 days	0.02			0.02			—			0.01			1

Common equity Tier 1 capital (transitional)	$	2,814,494		$	2,763,168		$	51,326		$	2,672,648		$	141,846
Tier 1 capital	2,924,109			2,872,001			52,108			2,758,794			165,315
Total risk-based capital	3,442,921			3,383,081			59,840			3,274,612			168,309
Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio (transitional)	10.13		%	9.99		%	14		bps	9.86		%	27		bps
Tier 1 capital ratio	10.53			10.38			15			10.18			35
Total risk-based capital ratio	12.39			12.23			16			12.08			31
Total shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio	9.39			9.49			(10		)	9.66			(27		)
Tangible common equity ratio⁽¹⁾	8.79			8.88			(9		)	9.04			(25		)
Return on average common equity⁽²⁾	14.62			3.76			nm			9.97			465
Adjusted return on average common equity⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	14.86			11.96			290			10.06			480
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	15.23			12.26			297		bps	10.33			490		bps

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

⁽²⁾Annualized

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Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

Net income available to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2018 was $100.6 million, or $0.84 per diluted common share, an increase of 45.2% and 49.7%, respectively, compared to $69.3 million, or $0.56 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted net income per diluted common share was $0.86 for the first quarter of 2018, up 50.9% compared to $0.57 for the first quarter of 2017. Return on average assets for the first quarter of 2018 was 1.34%, up 38 basis points from the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted return on average assets was 1.36% for the first quarter of 2018, up 39 basis points from the first quarter of 2017. The results for the first quarter of 2018 were driven by revenue growth and also reflect the benefit from a lower effective tax rate which declined to 22.6% for the quarter, due to the reduction of the Federal tax rate, as well as the impact from certain one-time and seasonal items. 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.

Total revenues, excluding investment securities gains net, for the first quarter of 2018 were $341.3 million, up 12.2% from the first quarter of 2017. Net interest income was $274.3 million in first quarter of 2018, up $34.4 million, or 14.3%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. The net interest margin was 3.78% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of 36 basis points from 3.42% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The yield on earning assets was 4.31%, up 43 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2017 and the effective cost of funds increased 7 basis points to 0.53%. The yield on loans was 4.70%, an increase of 45 basis points from the first quarter of 2017 and the yield on investment securities was 2.34%, an increase of 27 basis points from the first quarter of 2017. The recent rate increases favorably impacted net interest income and net interest margin for 2018.

Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2018 was $67.0 million, down $4.8 million, or 6.7%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted non-interest income, which excludes investment securities gains (losses) and decrease in fair value of private equity investments, was $70.1 million, up $4.1 million, or 6.2%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. 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 measure.

Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2018 of $195.2 million decreased $2.2 million, or 1.1%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. The first quarter of 2018 includes a $2.6 million reduction in litigation contingency accruals and the first quarter of 2017 included $6.5 million in restructuring charges. Adjusted non-interest expense of $197.8 million increased $7.2 million, or 3.8%, year-over-year. Strong operating leverage for the first quarter of 2018 resulted in an efficiency ratio of 57.16%, improved from 64.84% for the first quarter of 2017. The adjusted efficiency ratio was 57.42%, down 483 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.

Credit quality metrics remained favorable for the first quarter of 2018. Non-performing loans were $120.1 million at March 31, 2018, down $38.3 million, or 24.2%, from March 31, 2017. The non-performing loan ratio was 0.48% at March 31, 2018, as compared to 0.65% at March 31, 2017. Total non-performing assets were $131.2 million at March 31, 2018, down $56.1 million, or 29.9%, from March 31, 2017. The non-performing assets ratio was 0.53% at March 31, 2018, down 24 basis points from a year ago. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2018 were $4.3 million, or 0.07% of average loans, annualized, compared to $6.9 million, or 0.12% of average loans, annualized, for the first quarter of 2017. Loans past due over 90 days were 0.02% of total loans at March 31, 2018 as compared to 0.01% at March 31, 2017. For the first quarter of 2018, the provision for loan losses was $12.8 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or 47.3%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2018 was $257.8 million, or 1.04% of total loans, compared to $249.3 million, or 1.01% of total loans, at December 31, 2017 and $253.5 million, or 1.05% of total loans, at March 31, 2017.

Total average loans for the quarter were $24.85 billion, up $240.8 million or 4.0% annualized from the previous quarter and up $816.4 million or 3.4% as compared to the first quarter of 2017. Total loans ended the quarter at $24.88 billion, up $95.6 million or 1.6% annualized from the previous quarter and up $624.6 million or 2.6% as compared to the first quarter of 2017. Commercial and industrial loans grew by $78.3 million or 2.6% annualized from the previous quarter and $369.2 million or 3.1% as compared to the first quarter of 2017. Consumer loans grew by $115.5 million or 8.0% annualized from the previous quarter and $885.2 million or 17.4% as compared to the first quarter of 2017. Commercial real estate loans declined by $99.6 million or 5.8% annualized from the previous quarter and declined $631.6 million or 8.5% as compared to the first quarter of 2017.

Total average deposits for the quarter were $25.79 billion, down $497.9 million or 7.7% annualized from the previous quarter and up $869.2 million or 3.5% as compared to the first quarter of 2017. Average non-time core deposits decreased $120.4 million or 2.3% annualized from the previous quarter and increased $504.1 million or 2.5% as compared to the first quarter of 2017. 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.

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of $0.25 per share, payable in April 2018, a 67% increase from the previous quarter. Total shareholders’ equity was $2.96 billion at both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Return on average common equity was 14.62%, an increase of 465 basis points from the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted return on average common equity was 14.86%, an improvement of 480 basis points from the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted return on average tangible common equity was 15.23%, an increase of 490 basis points from the first quarter of 2017. See "Part II - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Capital Resources" and "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.

2018 Outlook

For the full year 2018 as compared to the full year 2017, previously stated 2018 guidance remains unchanged:


•	Average loan growth of 4% to 6%


•	Average total deposits growth of 4% to 6%


•	Net interest income growth of 11% to 13%⁽¹⁾


•	Adjusted non-interest income⁽²⁾ growth of 4% to 6%


•	Total non-interest expense growth of 0% to 3%


•	Effective income tax rate of 23% to 24%


•	Net charge-off ratio of 15 to 25 b.p.s


•	Common share repurchases of up to $150 million

⁽¹⁾Assumed a 25 b.p.s increase in the Federal funds rate in March and September 2018.

⁽²⁾ 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 measure.

Changes in Financial Condition

During the first quarter of 2018, total assets increased $279.2 million from $31.22 billion at December 31, 2017 to $31.50 billion. The principal components of this increase were an increase in loans, net of deferred fees and costs, of $95.6 million and an increase in interest bearing funds with the Federal Reserve of $176.0 million. An increase of $105.6 million in deposits and $150.3 million in long-term debt provided the funding source for the growth in assets.

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Loans

The following table compares the composition of the loan portfolio at March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and March 31, 2017.



(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017			March 31, 2018 vs. December 31, 2017 % Change⁽¹⁾		March 31, 2017			March 31, 2018 vs. March 31, 2017 % Change
Investment properties	$	5,619,050		$	5,670,065		(3.6	)%	$	6,016,052		(6.6	)%
1-4 family properties	758,904			781,619			(11.8	)	862,497			(12.0	)
Land and development	457,773			483,604			(21.7	)	588,739			(22.2	)
Total commercial real estate	6,835,727			6,935,288			(5.8	)	7,467,288			(8.5	)
Commercial, financial and agricultural	7,191,531			7,179,487			0.7		7,049,193			2.0
Owner-occupied	4,910,386			4,844,163			5.5		4,683,508			4.8
Total commercial and industrial	12,101,917			12,023,650			2.6		11,732,701			3.1
Home equity lines	1,472,471			1,514,227			(11.2	)	1,587,102			(7.2	)
Consumer mortgages	2,663,371			2,633,503			4.6		2,350,730			13.3
Credit cards	226,713			232,676			(10.4	)	224,349			1.1
Other consumer loans	1,606,799			1,473,451			36.7		922,018			74.3
Total consumer	5,969,354			5,853,857			8.0		5,084,199			17.4
Total loans	24,906,998			24,812,795			1.5		24,284,188			2.6
Deferred fees and costs, net	(23,961		)	(25,331		)	(21.9	)	(25,720		)	(6.8	)
Total loans, net of deferred fees and costs	$	24,883,037		$	24,787,464		1.6	%	$	24,258,468		2.6	%

⁽¹⁾Percentage changes are annualized

At March 31, 2018, total loans were $24.88 billion, an increase of $95.6 million, or 1.6% annualized, and $624.6 million or 2.6%, compared to December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively. Year-over-year loan growth was driven by a $369.2 million or 3.1% increase in C&I loans and a $885.2 million or 17.4% increase in consumer loans, with our lending partnerships growing $678.4 million and mortgage loans growing $312.6 million. This growth was partially offset by a $631.6 million or 8.5% decline in CRE loans.

Commercial Loans

Total commercial loans (which are comprised of C&I and CRE loans) at March 31, 2018 were $18.94 billion, or 76.1% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $18.96 billion, or 76.5%, at December 31, 2017 and $19.20 billion, or 79.1%, at March 31, 2017.

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Synovus had 25 commercial loan relationships with total commitments of $50 million or more (including amounts funded). The average funded balance of these relationships was approximately $35 million at both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Commercial and Industrial Loans

The C&I loan portfolio represents the largest category of Synovus' total loan portfolio and is currently concentrated on small to middle market C&I lending dispersed throughout a diverse group of industries primarily in the Southeast and other selected areas in the United States. The following table shows the composition of the C&I portfolio aggregated by NAICS code. The portfolio is relationship focused and, as a result, Synovus' lenders have in-depth knowledge of the borrowers, most of which have guaranty arrangements. C&I loans are originated through Synovus' local markets and the Corporate Banking Group to commercial customers primarily to finance capital expenditures, including real property, plant and equipment, or as a source of working capital. 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, 2018, approximately 93% of Synovus' C&I loans are secured by real estate, business equipment, inventory, and other types of collateral. C&I loans of $12.10 billion, representing 48.6% of the total loan portfolio, grew $78.3 million, or 2.6% annualized, from December 31, 2017 and $369.2 million, or 3.1%, from March 31, 2017. The quarter reflects solid performance in our Global One specialty loans (up $35 million) as well as our Asset-Based Lending loans (up $34 million). The remaining C&I portfolio increased slightly despite a seasonal decline in overall line utilization.

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Commercial and Industrial Loans by Industry	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands)	Amount		%⁽¹⁾		Amount		%⁽¹⁾
Health care and social assistance	$	2,780,004	23.0	%	$	2,764,907	23.0	%
Manufacturing	999,331		8.3		930,751		7.7
Retail trade	857,468		7.1		857,348		7.1
Real estate and rental and leasing	837,594		6.9		851,303		7.1
Professional, scientific, and technical services	775,507		6.4		771,809		6.4
Other services	753,753		6.2		761,916		6.3
Finance and insurance	738,125		6.1		780,279		6.5
Wholesale trade	703,468		5.7		675,741		5.6
Real estate other	612,063		5.1		586,707		4.9
Accommodation and food services	576,928		4.8		562,877		4.7
Construction	489,863		4.0		500,091		4.2
Other industries	446,294		3.7		438,312		3.6
Transportation and warehousing	418,783		3.5		427,608		3.6
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting	340,856		2.8		349,181		2.9
Administration, support, waste management, and remediation	287,600		2.4		273,189		2.3
Educational services	252,818		2.1		259,367		2.2
Information	231,462		1.9		232,264		1.9
Total commercial and industrial loans	$	12,101,917	100.0	%	$	12,023,650	100.0	%

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

At March 31, 2018, $7.19 billion of C&I loans, or 28.9% 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, 2018, $4.91 billion of C&I loans, or 19.7% of the total loan portfolio, represented loans originated for the purpose of financing owner-occupied properties. 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 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

Total CRE loans consist of investment properties loans, 1-4 family properties loans, as well as land and development loans. These loans are subject to the same uniform lending policies referenced above. CRE loans of $6.84 billion, representing 27.5% of the total loan portfolio, decreased $99.6 million, or 5.8% annualized, from December 31, 2017 and decreased $631.6 million, or 8.5%, from March 31, 2017. The $99.6 million decline was driven by a $51.0 million decrease in the Investment Properties portfolio and a $25.8 million decrease in the non-strategic Land and Development portfolio. The decline in CRE is largely the result of the continued higher velocity of pay-off activity across the portfolio.

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, 2018 were $5.62 billion, or 82.2% of the total CRE portfolio and 22.6% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $5.67 billion, or 81.8% of the total CRE portfolio and 22.9% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2017, a decrease of $51.0 million, or 3.6% annualized primarily due to a decline in office buildings and multi-family properties. Synovus' investment properties portfolio is well diversified by property type, geography (primarily within Synovus' primary market areas of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee), and tenants. The investment properties loans are primarily secured by the property being financed by the loans; however, these loans may also be secured by real estate or other assets beyond the property being financed.

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

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in the markets served by Synovus. Construction loans are generally interest-only loans and typically have maturities of three years or less, and commercial mortgage loans generally have maturities of three to five years, with amortization periods of up to fifteen to twenty years. At March 31, 2018, 1-4 family properties loans totaled $758.9 million, or 11.1% of the total CRE portfolio and 3.0% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $781.6 million, or 11.3% of the total CRE portfolio and 3.2% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2017.

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. These loans have short-term maturities and are typically unamortized. Properties securing these loans are substantially within the Synovus footprint, 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 $457.8 million at March 31, 2018, or 1.8% of the total loan portfolio, a decline of $25.8 million, or 21.7% annualized, from December 31, 2017. Synovus continues to strategically reduce its exposure to these types of loans.

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, 2018 totaled $5.97 billion, representing 24.0% of the total loan portfolio compared to $5.85 billion, or 23.6% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2017, and $5.08 billion, or 21.0% of the total loan portfolio at March 31, 2017. Consumer loans increased $115.5 million, or 8.0% annualized, from December 31, 2017 and $885.2 million, or 17.4%, from March 31, 2017. Consumer mortgages grew $29.8 million or 4.6% annualized, from December 31, 2017, and $312.6 million, or 13.3%, from March 31, 2017 primarily due to continued recruiting of mortgage loan originators in strategic markets throughout the footprint as well as enhanced origination efforts, which also create additional cross-selling opportunities for other products. HELOCs decreased $42.0 million or 11.2% from December 31, 2017. Credit card loans totaled $226.7 million at March 31, 2018, including $64.5 million of commercial credit card loans.

Other consumer loans increased $133.3 million, or 36.7% annualized, from December 31, 2017, and $684.8 million, or 74.3%, from March 31, 2017 primarily due to two consumer-based lending partnerships. One lending partnership, which began in the third quarter of 2015, is a program that provides merchants and contractors nationwide with the ability to offer term financing to their customers for major purchases and home improvement projects. The other lending partnership, which began in the second quarter of 2016, primarily provides qualified borrowers the ability to refinance student loan debt. As of March 31, 2018, these partnerships had combined balances of $1.27 billion, or 5.1% of the total loan portfolio.

Consumer loans, including those through our lending partnerships, 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. The most recent credit score refresh was completed as of December 31, 2017. 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.

At December 31, 2017, weighted-average FICO scores within the residential real estate portfolio were 772 for HELOCs and 774 for consumer mortgages. HELOC utilization rates (total amount outstanding as a percentage of total available lines) were 54.5% and 55.6% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Additionally, we maintained loan-to-value ratios based upon prudent guidelines to ensure consistency with Synovus' overall risk philosophy. At March 31, 2018, 36% of home equity line balances were secured by a first lien, and 64% were secured by a second lien. Apart from credit card loans and unsecured loans, Synovus does not originate loans with LTV ratios greater than 100% at origination except for infrequent situations provided that certain underwriting requirements are met. Additionally, at origination, loan maturities are determined based on the borrower's ability to repay (cash flow or earning power that represents the primary source of repayment) and the collateralization of the loan, including the economic life of the asset being pledged. Collateral securing these loans provides a secondary source of repayment in that the collateral may be liquidated. Synovus determines the need for collateral on a case-by-case basis. Factors considered include the purpose of the loan, current and prospective credit-worthiness of the customer, terms of the loan, and economic conditions.

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Higher-risk consumer loans as defined by the FDIC are consumer loans (excluding consumer loans defined as nontraditional mortgage loans) where, as of the origination date or, if the loan has been refinanced, as of the refinance date, the probability of default within two years is greater than 20%, as determined using a defined historical stress period. These loans are not a part of Synovus' consumer lending strategy, and Synovus does not currently develop or offer specific sub-prime, alt-A, no documentation or stated income residential real estate loan products. Synovus estimates that, as of March 31, 2018, it had $91.0 million of higher-risk consumer loans (1.5% of the consumer portfolio and 0.4% of the total loan portfolio) compared to $98.8 million as of March 31, 2017. Included in these amounts as of March 31, 2018 and 2017 are approximately $12 million and $11 million, respectively, of accruing TDRs.

Deposits

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



Composition of Average Deposits
	Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018		%⁽¹⁾		December 31, 2017		%⁽¹⁾		March 31, 2017		%⁽¹⁾
Non-interest bearing demand deposits	$	7,391,696	28.7	%	$	7,621,147	29.0	%	$	7,174,146	28.8	%
Interest bearing demand deposits	5,032,000		19.5		4,976,239		18.9		4,784,329		19.2
Money market accounts, excluding brokered deposits	7,561,554		29.3		7,514,992		28.6		7,424,627		29.8
Savings deposits	811,588		3.1		804,853		3.0		909,660		3.7
Time deposits, excluding brokered deposits	3,039,325		11.8		3,170,445		12.1		3,245,306		13.0
Brokered deposits	1,951,910		7.6		2,198,333		8.4		1,380,787		5.5
Total average deposits	$	25,788,073	100.0	%	$	26,286,009	100.0	%	$	24,918,855	100.0	%
Average non-time core deposits ⁽²⁾	$	20,796,838	80.6	%	$	20,917,231	79.6	%	$	20,292,762	81.4	%

⁽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.

During the first quarter of 2018, total average deposits decreased $497.9 million, or 7.7% annualized, compared to the fourth quarter of 2017, but have increased $869.2 million, or 3.5%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. Average brokered deposits declined $246.4 million compared to the prior quarter with $112.0 million of the decline due to a reclassification described herein. Additionally, seasonal increases in temporary deposits during the fourth quarter of 2017 contributed to the first quarter decline. Average non-time core deposits decreased $120.4 million, or 2.3% annualized, compared to the prior quarter, and increased $504.1 million, or 2.5%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. During the quarter, Synovus obtained FDIC approval to report its sweep money market product, offered by Synovus Securities, as a component of core deposits. This product was reported as a brokered deposit through February of 2018. The balances in these accounts totaled $307.0 million as of March 31, 2018, and resulted in an increase of $112.0 million in average non-time core deposits for the quarter, due to the reclassification. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Report for the applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.

Average non-interest bearing demand deposits as a percentage of total average deposits were 28.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 29.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 28.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Average time deposits of $100,000 and greater for the three months ended March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and March 31, 2017 were $3.42 billion, $3.66 billion, and $2.79 billion, respectively, and included average brokered time deposits of $1.53 billion, $1.65 billion, and $761.2 million, respectively. These larger deposits represented 13.3%, 13.9%, and 11.2% of total average deposits for the three months ended March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and March 31, 2017, respectively, and included brokered time deposits which represented 5.9%, 6.3%, and 3.1% of total average deposits for the three months ended March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and March 31, 2017, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2018, total average brokered deposits represented 7.6% of total average deposits compared to 8.4% and 5.5% of total average deposits the previous quarter and the first quarter a year ago, respectively.

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Non-interest Income

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



Non-interest Income	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018			2017			% Change
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	19,940		$	20,118		(0.9	)%
Fiduciary and asset management fees	13,435			12,151			10.6
Card fees	10,199			9,844			3.6
Brokerage revenue	8,695			7,226			20.3
Mortgage banking income	5,047			5,766			(12.5	)
Income from bank-owned life insurance	4,217			3,056			38.0
Investment securities gains, net	—			7,668			nm
Decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	(3,056		)	(1,814		)	nm
Other fee income	4,618			4,868			(5.1	)
Other non-interest income	3,951			2,956			33.7
Total non-interest income	$	67,046		$	71,839		(6.7	)%

Principal Components of Non-interest Income

Service charges on deposit accounts for the first quarter of 2018 were down $178 thousand, or 0.9%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. Service charges on deposit accounts consist of NSF fees, account analysis fees, and all other service charges. NSF fees were $9.0 million for the first quarter of 2018, down $26 thousand, or 0.3%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. Account analysis fees were $6.0 million for the first quarter of 2018, down $113 thousand, or 1.8%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. All other service charges on deposit accounts, which consist primarily of monthly fees on retail demand deposit and saving accounts, were $4.9 million, down $39 thousand, or 0.8%, compared to the same period in 2017.

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 were $13.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $1.3 million, or 10.6%, over the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was driven by growth in total assets under management, which increased by 19% year-over-year to approximately $14 billion, due to the benefit of new talent additions and market expansion strategies.

Card fees totaled $10.2 million for the first quarter of 2018, a $355 thousand, or 3.6%, increase over the same period in 2017. 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 $8.7 million for the first quarter of 2018, a $1.5 million, or 20.3%, increase over the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in 2018 from 2017 was largely driven by growth in brokerage assets under management due primarily to new talent additions. Brokerage revenue consists primarily of brokerage commissions. Additionally, brokerage revenue includes advisory fees earned from the management of customer assets. Brokerage assets under management were approximately $2.6 billion at March 31, 2018, an increase of 26% from $2.1 billion at March 31, 2017.

Mortgage banking income decreased $719 thousand, or 12.5%, for the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, reflecting softer production volume in a rising interest rate environment.

Income from bank-owned life insurance increased $1.2 million, or 38.0%, for the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, due to additional investments in bank-owned life insurance policies, increases in the cash surrender value of these policies, and death benefits.

Private equity investments consist of an equity method investment in a venture capital fund. The net loss of $3.1 million for the first quarter of 2018 and the net loss of $1.8 million for the first quarter of 2017 consisted mostly of net unrealized losses on certain investments within the fund.

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Other fee income includes fees for letters of credit and unused lines of credit, safe deposit box fees, access fees for automated teller machine use, customer swap dealer fees, and other service charges. Other fee income was lower by $250 thousand, or 5.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

The main components of other non-interest income are income from insurance commissions, gains from sales of GGL/SBA loans, and other miscellaneous items. Other non-interest income was up $995 thousand, or 33.7%, for the first quarter of 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, due primarily to higher gains on sales of GGL/SBA loans of $844 thousand.

Non-interest Expense

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



Non-interest Expense
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018			2017		% Change
Salaries and other personnel expense	$	113,720		$	107,191	6.1	%
Net occupancy and equipment expense	31,480			29,331		7.3
Third-party processing expense	13,945			12,603		10.6
FDIC insurance and other regulatory fees	6,793			6,770		0.3
Professional fees	5,505			5,355		2.8
Advertising expense	5,092			5,912		(13.9	)
Foreclosed real estate expense, net	856			2,134		(59.9	)
Restructuring charges, net	(315		)	6,511		nm
Other operating expenses	18,103			21,581		(16.1	)
Total non-interest expense	$	195,179		$	197,388	(1.1	)%

Salaries and other personnel expenses increased $6.5 million, or 6.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to talent additions, higher incentive compensation, and higher self-insurance expense.

Net occupancy and equipment expense increased $2.1 million, or 7.3%, during the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017 driven primarily by costs associated with growth in technology investments.

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 $1.3 million, or 10.6%, compared to the first quarter of 2017 due to an increase of $1.4 million from servicing fees associated with loan growth from Synovus' two consumer-based lending partnerships.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Synovus recorded net lease termination accrual reversals of $377 thousand related to branches closed in prior years. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, Synovus recorded severance charges of $6.5 million including $6.2 million for termination benefits incurred in conjunction with a voluntary early retirement program offered to Synovus employees during the first quarter of 2017.

Other operating expenses for the first quarter of 2018 include a benefit of $2.6 million from reduction in litigation contingency accruals.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $30.2 million and $33.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, representing an effective tax rate of 22.6% and 32.0% for the respective periods. The decrease in the effective tax rate reflects changes incurred as a result of Federal Tax Reform, most notably a reduction of the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.

The effective tax rate is impacted by discrete items that may occur in any given period but are not consistent from period-to-period such as tax benefits associated with the exercise and vesting of employee equity awards, changes to unrecognized tax benefits, and jurisdiction statutory tax rate changes. On March 2, 2018, a Georgia law was enacted that reduced the corporate

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income tax rate to 5.75% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2019. This rate reduction required Synovus to adjust its deferred tax assets and liabilities during the first quarter of 2018 and resulted in additional income tax expense of $1.3 million.

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. Credit quality metrics have remained favorable during the first three months of 2018.

The table below includes selected credit quality metrics.



Credit Quality Metrics
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017		March 31, 2017
Non-performing loans	$	120,081		115,561		158,366
Impaired loans held for sale⁽¹⁾	6,591			11,278		8,442
Other real estate	4,496			3,758		20,425
Non-performing assets	$	131,168		$	130,597	$	187,233
Non-performing loans as a % of total loans	0.48		%	0.47		0.65
Non-performing assets as a % of total loans, other loans held for sale, and ORE	0.53			0.53		0.77
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing	$	5,416		4,414		2,777
As a % of total loans	0.02		%	0.02		0.01
Total past due loans and still accruing	$	54,150		52,031		62,137
As a % of total loans	0.22		%	0.21		0.26
Net charge-offs, quarter	$	4,280		8,979		6,918
Net charge-offs/average loans, quarter	0.07		%	0.15		0.12
Net charge-offs, year-to-date	$	4,280		69,675		6,918
Net charge-offs/average loans, year-to-date	0.07		%	0.29		0.12
Provision for loan losses, quarter	$	12,776		8,564		8,674
Provision for loan losses, year-to-date	12,776			67,185		8,674
Allowance for loan losses	257,764			249,268		253,514
Allowance for loan losses as a % of total loans	1.04		%	1.01		1.05

⁽¹⁾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 $131.2 million at March 31, 2018, a $571 thousand, or 0.4%, increase from $130.6 million at December 31, 2017 and a $56.1 million, or 29.9%, decrease from $187.2 million at March 31, 2017. The year-over-year decline in non-performing assets was driven by the continued resolution of problem assets including accelerated dispositions and transfers to held for sale in conjunction with the balance sheet restructuring actions. Total non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans, other loans held for sale, and other real estate were 0.53% at March 31, 2018 compared to 0.53% at December 31, 2017 and 0.77% at March 31, 2017.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

Accruing TDRs were $129.4 million at March 31, 2018, compared to $151.3 million at December 31, 2017 and $172.4 million at March 31, 2017. Accruing TDRs declined $21.9 million, or 14.5%, from December 31, 2017 and $43.0 million, or 25.0%, from a year ago primarily due to continued decline in TDR inflows, fewer TDRs needing to retain the TDR designation upon subsequent renewal, refinance, or modification, and pay-offs.

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At March 31, 2018, the allowance for loan losses allocated to these accruing TDRs was $6.1 million compared to $8.7 million at December 31, 2017 and $8.6 million at March 31, 2017. Accruing TDRs are considered performing because they are performing in accordance with the restructured terms. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 97% and 99%, 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 negligible. There were no defaults for both the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2017.



Accruing TDRs by Risk Grade	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				March 31, 2107
(dollars in thousands)	Amount		%		Amount		%		Amount		%
Pass	$	56,924	44.0	%	$	57,136	37.8	%	$	74,849	43.4	%
Special Mention	15,429		11.9		15,879		10.5		19,022		11.0
Substandard accruing	57,041		44.1		78,256		51.7		78,550		45.6
Total accruing TDRs	$	129,394	100.0	%	$	151,271	100.0	%	$	172,421	100.0	%



Accruing TDRs Aging by Portfolio Class
	March 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Current		30-89 Days Past Due		90+ Days Past Due		Total
Investment properties	$	18,334	$	202	$	—	$	18,536
1-4 family properties	11,827		181		—		12,008
Land and development	13,844		718		—		14,562
Total commercial real estate	44,005		1,101		—		45,106
Commercial, financial and agricultural	21,497		1,157		21		22,675
Owner-occupied	35,676		344		—		36,020
Total commercial and industrial	57,173		1,501		21		58,695
Home equity lines	2,866		418		191		3,475
Consumer mortgages	17,208		170		—		17,378
Credit cards	—		—		—		—
Other consumer loans	4,618		122		—		4,740
Total consumer	24,692		710		191		25,593
Total accruing TDRs	$	125,870	$	3,312	$	212	$	129,394

	December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Current		30-89 Days Past Due		90+ Days Past Due		Total
Investment properties	$	21,398	$	—	$	—	$	21,398
1-4 family properties	14,865		191		—		15,056
Land and development	14,835		381		—		15,216
Total commercial real estate	51,098		572		—		51,670
Commercial, financial and agricultural	33,789		1,161		44		34,994
Owner-occupied	35,554		—		—		35,554
Total commercial and industrial	69,343		1,161		44		70,548
Home equity lines	5,096		—		—		5,096
Consumer mortgages	18,588		80		—		18,668
Credit cards	—		—		—		—
Other consumer loans	5,097		192		—		5,289
Total consumer	28,781		272		—		29,053
Total accruing TDRs	$	149,222	$	2,005	$	44	$	151,271

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Non-accruing TDRs were $20.7 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $11.7 million at December 31, 2017. Non-accruing TDRs generally may be returned to accrual status if there has been a period of performance, consisting usually of at least a six month sustained period of repayment performance in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Potential Problem Loans

Potential problem loans are defined by management as being certain performing loans with a well-defined weakness where there is known information about possible credit problems of borrowers which causes management to have concerns about the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present repayment terms of such loans. Potential problem commercial loans consist of commercial Substandard accruing loans but exclude loans 90 days past due and still accruing interest and accruing TDRs classified as Substandard since these loans are disclosed separately. Potential problem commercial loans were $137.6 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $103.3 million and $154.1 million at December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively. Synovus cannot predict whether these potential problem loans ultimately will become non-performing loans or result in losses.

Net Charge-offs

Net charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $4.3 million, or 0.07% as a percentage of average loans annualized, compared to $6.9 million, or 0.12%, as a percentage of average loans annualized for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Net charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 included the benefit of a $5.1 million recovery.

Provision for Loan Losses and Allowance for Loan Losses

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the provision for loan losses was $12.8 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or 47.3%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2018 was $257.8 million, or 1.04% of total loans, compared to $249.3 million, or 1.01% of total loans, at December 31, 2017 and $253.5 million, or 1.05% of total loans, at March 31, 2017. The increase in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans compared to year-end is primarily due to additional specific reserves placed on two credits during the first quarter of 2018.

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. Synovus has always placed great emphasis on maintaining a solid capital base and continues to satisfy applicable regulatory capital requirements.

At March 31, 2018, Synovus and Synovus Bank's capital levels remained strong and each exceeded well-capitalized requirements currently in effect. The following table presents certain ratios used to measure Synovus and Synovus Bank's capitalization.

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Capital Ratios
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Common equity Tier 1 capital (transitional)
Synovus Financial Corp.	$	2,814,494		$	2,763,168
Synovus Bank	3,223,537			3,155,163
Tier 1 capital
Synovus Financial Corp.	2,924,109			2,872,001
Synovus Bank	3,223,537			3,155,163
Total risk-based capital
Synovus Financial Corp.	3,442,921			3,383,081
Synovus Bank	3,482,349			3,406,243
Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio (transitional)
Synovus Financial Corp.	10.13		%	9.99		%
Synovus Bank	11.63			11.43
Tier 1 capital ratio
Synovus Financial Corp.	10.53			10.38
Synovus Bank	11.63			11.43
Total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets ratio
Synovus Financial Corp.	12.39			12.23
Synovus Bank	12.56			12.33
Leverage ratio
Synovus Financial Corp.	9.37			9.19
Synovus Bank	10.34			10.12
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio ⁽¹⁾
Synovus Financial Corp.	8.79			8.88

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

The Basel III capital rules became effective January 1, 2015 for Synovus and Synovus Bank, subject to a transition period for several aspects, including the capital conservation buffer and certain regulatory capital adjustments and deductions, as described below. Under the Basel III capital rules, the minimum capital requirements for Synovus and Synovus Bank include a common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 4.5%; Tier 1 capital ratio of 6%; total capital ratio of 8%; and leverage ratio of 4%. When fully phased-in on January 1, 2019, the Basel III capital rules include a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% that is added on top of each of the minimum risk-based capital ratios. The implementation of the capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and will be phased-in over a three-year period (increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1 until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019). As a financial holding company, Synovus and its subsidiary bank, Synovus Bank, are required to maintain capital levels required for a well-capitalized institution as defined by federal banking regulations. Under the Basel III capital rules, Synovus and Synovus Bank are well-capitalized if each has a CET1 ratio of 6.5% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8% or greater, a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% or greater, a leverage ratio of 5% or greater, and are not subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive from a federal and/or state banking regulatory agency to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure.

On January 23, 2018, Synovus announced a $150 million share repurchase program to be completed during 2018. As of March 31, 2018, Synovus had repurchased under this program a total of $26.7 million, or 535 thousand shares of its common stock, at an average price of $49.98 per share. As of March 31, 2018 and May 3, 2018, the remaining authorization under this program was $123.3 million and $115.4 million, respectively. During the first quarter of 2018, Synovus declared common dividends of $0.25 per share, payable in April 2018, a 67% increase from the previous quarter.

As of March 31, 2018, total disallowed deferred tax assets were $67.1 million or 0.24% of risk-weighted assets, compared to $70.4 million, or 0.25% of risk-weighted assets, at December 31, 2017. Disallowed deferred tax assets for CET1 were $53.7 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $56.3 million at December 31, 2017. See "Part II - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Income Taxes" in Synovus' 2017 Form 10-K for more information on Synovus' net deferred tax asset.

At March 31, 2018, Synovus' CET1 ratio was 10.13% under the Basel III transitional provisions, and the estimated fully phased-in CET1 ratio was 10.03%, both of which are well in excess of regulatory requirements including the capital conservation buffer. On November 21, 2017, federal banking regulators adopted a final rule to extend the regulatory capital transition applicable

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during 2017 to future periods for banking organizations (such as Synovus) that are not subject to the advanced approaches capital rule. This reduced the capital impact to Synovus in 2018 from the fully phased-in implementation of Basel III that was originally required. See "Part II - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this Report for applicable reconciliation to GAAP measure. 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.

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. During the first quarter of 2018, with the quarterly dividend declared in the first quarter and payable in the second quarter of 2018, Synovus increased the quarterly common stock dividend by 67% to $0.25 per share.

Synovus' ability to pay dividends on its capital stock, consisting of the common stock and the Series C 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, as further discussed below. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Synovus Bank paid upstream cash dividends to Synovus totaling $45.0 million and during the three months ended March 31, 2017, Synovus Bank paid upstream cash dividends to Synovus totaling $100.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2017, Synovus Bank and non-bank subsidiaries made upstream cash distributions to the Parent Company totaling $451.0 million including cash dividends of $283.2 million.

Synovus declared dividends of $0.25 and $0.15 per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively. In addition to dividends paid on its common stock, Synovus paid dividends of $2.6 million on its Series C Preferred Stock during both the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

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 national deposit markets 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. Synovus Bank has the capacity to access funding through its membership in the FHLB system. At March 31, 2018, based on currently pledged collateral, Synovus Bank had access to incremental funding of $813.0 million, 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. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Synovus Bank paid upstream cash dividends

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to Synovus totaling $45.0 million and during the three months ended March 31, 2017, Synovus Bank paid upstream cash dividends to Synovus totaling $100.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2017, Synovus Bank and non-bank subsidiaries made upstream cash distributions to the Parent Company totaling $451.0 million including cash dividends of $283.2 million. 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 November 1, 2017, Synovus issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.125% senior notes maturing in 2022 in a public offering with aggregate proceeds of $296.9 million, net of discount and debt issuance costs. On November 9, 2017, Synovus redeemed all of the $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.875% senior notes due 2019 at a "make whole" premium. 2017 results included a loss of $23.2 million related to early extinguishment of these notes. Additionally, during 2017, Synovus paid off the remaining balance of $278.6 million of its subordinated notes at their maturity date of June 15, 2017.

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 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' 2017 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, which is redeemable beginning on August 1, 2018, or strengthen its liquidity or capital position.

Earning Assets and Sources of Funds

Average total assets for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $803.6 million or 2.6%, to $31.25 billion as compared to $30.44 billion for the first three months of 2017. Average earning assets increased $944.1 million, or 3.3%, in the first three months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 and represented 94.2% of average total assets at March 31, 2018, as compared to 93.6% at March 31, 2017. The increase in average earning assets resulted from a $828.8 million increase in average loans, net, and a $255.6 million increase in average taxable investment securities. These increases were partially offset by a $125.4 million decrease in average interest bearing funds held at the Federal Reserve Bank. Average interest bearing liabilities increased $621.0 million, or 3.1%, to $20.73 billion for the first three months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The increase in average interest bearing liabilities was driven by a $560.7 million increase in average time deposits and a $247.7 million increase in average interest bearing demand deposits. These increases were partially offset by a $98.1 million decrease in average savings deposits. Average non-interest bearing demand deposits increased $217.5 million, or 3.0%, to $7.39 billion for the first three months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $274.3 million, an increase of $34.4 million, or 14.3%, compared to $239.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The net interest margin was 3.78% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of 36 basis points from 3.42% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The yield on earning assets was 4.31%, up 43 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2017 and the effective cost of funds increased 7 basis points to 0.53%. The yield on loans was 4.70%, an increase of 45 basis points from the first quarter of 2017 and the yield on investment securities was 2.34%, an increase of 27 basis points from the first quarter of 2017. Earning asset yields also benefited from a reduction of the average balance of lower yielding funds held at the Federal Reserve.

On a sequential quarter basis, net interest income increased by $4.6 million and the net interest margin increased by 13 basis points to 3.78%. The increase in net interest income was driven by a $222.8 million increase in average loans, net and a $159.9 million increase in average taxable investment securities. These increases were partially offset by a $274.0 million decrease in lower yielding funds held at the Federal Reserve. The increase in net interest income for the quarter was also driven by margin expansion. Additionally, the rate increases in December and March favorably impacted net interest income and the net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the previous quarter. The yield on earning assets was 4.31%, up 16 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2017. This increase was driven by a 15 basis point increase in loan yields. The effective cost of funds was 0.53% for the first quarter of 2018, up 3 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2017. This metric was favorably impacted by the refinancing of $300 million in senior debt completed during the fourth quarter of 2017.

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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.



Average Balances, Interest, and Yields	2018			2017
(dollars in thousands) (yields and rates annualized)	First Quarter			Fourth Quarter		Third Quarter		Second Quarter		First Quarter
Interest Earning Assets:
Taxable investment securities⁽¹⁾	$	4,097,162		3,937,278		3,786,436		3,844,688		3,841,556
Yield	2.34		%	2.29		2.11		2.11		2.06
Tax-exempt investment securities⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾	$	140		180		259		340		2,730
Yield (taxable equivalent) ⁽³⁾	6.57		%	7.97		7.86		6.87		5.81
Trading account assets⁽⁴⁾	$	8,167		7,360		7,823		3,667		6,443
Yield	2.66		%	2.78		2.09		2.28		1.72
Commercial loans⁽²⁾⁽³⁾	$	18,963,515		18,935,774		19,059,936		19,137,733		19,043,384
Yield	4.64		%	4.49		4.41		4.27		4.16
Consumer loans⁽²⁾	$	5,899,015		5,704,629		5,440,765		5,215,258		4,992,683
Yield	4.71		%	4.54		4.55		4.49		4.40
Allowance for loan losses	$	(251,635	)	(252,319	)	(249,248	)	(251,219	)	(253,927	)
Loans, net ⁽²⁾	$	24,610,895		24,388,084		24,251,453		24,101,772		23,782,140
Yield	4.70		%	4.55		4.49		4.36		4.25
Mortgage loans held for sale	$	38,360		45,353		52,177		52,224		46,554
Yield	3.95		%	3.96		3.88		3.87		4.01
Other earning assets ⁽⁴⁾	$	516,575		922,296		543,556		561,503		654,322
Yield	1.48		%	1.31		1.23		1.00		0.77
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Stock⁽⁵⁾	$	177,381		159,455		175,263		177,323		170,844
Yield	3.39		%	4.03		3.50		2.99		3.42
Total interest earning assets	$	29,448,680		29,460,006		28,816,967		28,741,517		28,504,589
Yield	4.31		%	4.15		4.11		3.99		3.88
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Interest bearing demand deposits	$	5,032,000		4,976,239		4,868,372		4,837,053		4,784,329
Rate	0.31		%	0.28		0.27		0.23		0.19
Money Market accounts, excluding brokered deposits	$	7,561,554		7,514,992		7,528,036		7,427,562		7,424,627
Rate	0.43		%	0.36		0.34		0.32		0.31
Savings deposits	$	811,587		804,853		803,184		805,019		909,660
Rate	0.03		%	0.03		0.03		0.04		0.11
Time deposits under $100,000	$	1,143,780		1,166,413		1,183,582		1,202,746		1,215,593
Rate	0.71		%	0.70		0.68		0.67		0.64
Time deposits over $100,000	$	1,895,545		2,004,031		2,067,347		2,040,924		2,029,713
Rate	1.02		%	0.99		0.97		0.94		0.92
Non-maturing brokered deposits	$	424,118		546,413		547,466		564,043		619,627
Rate	1.14		%	0.81		0.73		0.54		0.41
Brokered time deposits	$	1,527,793		1,651,920		983,423		815,515		761,159
Rate	1.75		%	1.63		1.16		0.94		0.92
Total interest bearing deposits	$	18,396,377		18,664,861		17,981,410		17,692,862		17,744,708
Rate	0.58		%	0.54		0.46		0.41		0.39
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	$	202,226		184,369		191,585		183,400		176,854
Rate	0.21		%	0.15		0.08		0.10		0.09
Long-term debt	$	2,127,994		1,713,982		1,985,175		2,270,452		2,184,072
Rate	2.32		%	2.67		2.81		2.83		2.83
Total interest bearing liabilities	$	20,726,597		20,563,212		20,158,170		20,146,714		20,105,634
Rate	0.76		%	0.72		0.69		0.68		0.65
Non-interest bearing demand deposits	$	7,391,695		7,621,147		7,305,508		7,298,845		7,174,146
Effective cost of funds	0.53		%	0.50		0.48		0.48		0.46
Net interest margin	3.78		%	3.65		3.63		3.51		3.42
Taxable equivalent adjustment⁽³⁾	$	116		234		283		298		309

⁽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% beginning in 2018, and 35% for prior years, in adjusting interest on tax-exempt loans and investment securities to a taxable-equivalent basis.

⁽⁴⁾Includes interest bearing funds with Federal Reserve Bank, interest earning deposits with banks, and federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements.

⁽⁵⁾Included as a component of Other Assets on the balance sheet.

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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, 2018 and 2017, as well as the variances between the periods caused by changes in interest rates versus changes in volume.



Net Interest Income and Rate/Volume Analysis
	Three Months Ended March 31,														2018 Compared to 2017
	Average Balances						Interest				Annualized Yield/Rate				Change due to						Increase (Decrease)
(dollars in thousands)	2018			2017			2018		2017		2018		2017		Volume			Rate
Assets
Interest earning assets:
Taxable investment securities	$	4,097,162		$	3,841,556		$	23,929	$	19,807	2.34	%	2.06	%	$	1,298		$	2,824		$	4,122
Tax-exempt investment securities⁽²⁾	140			2,730			2		40		6.57		5.81		(37		)	(1		)	(38		)
Total investment securities	4,097,302			3,844,286			23,931		19,847		2.34		2.07		1,261			2,823			4,084
Trading account assets	8,167			6,443			54		28		2.66		1.72		7			19			26
Taxable loans, net⁽¹⁾	24,810,104			23,962,562			284,919		248,800		4.66		4.21		8,819			27,300			36,119
Tax-exempt loans, net⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	52,426			73,505			552		843		4.27		4.65		(242		)	(49		)	(291		)
Allowance for loan losses	(251,635		)	(253,927		)
Loans, net	24,610,895			23,782,140			285,471		249,643		4.70		4.25		8,577			27,251			35,828
Mortgage loans held for sale	38,360			46,554			379		467		3.95		4.01		(81		)	(7		)	(88		)
Other earning assets⁽³⁾	516,575			654,322			1,914		1,263		1.48		0.77		(262		)	913			651
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock	177,381			170,844			1,501		1,462		3.39		3.42		55			(16		)	39
Total interest earning assets	29,448,680			28,504,589			313,250		272,710		4.31		3.88		9,557			30,983			40,540
Cash and due from banks	398,865			401,845
Premises and equipment, net	426,902			416,346
Other real estate	3,785			22,156
Other assets⁽⁴⁾	967,476			1,097,153
Total assets	$	31,245,708		$	30,442,089

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	5,032,000		$	4,784,329		$	3,814	$	2,251	0.31	%	0.19	%	$	116		$	1,447		$	1,563
Money market accounts	7,985,672			8,044,254			9,152		6,238		0.46		0.31		(46		)	2,960			2,914
Savings deposits	811,587			909,660			59		249		0.03		0.11		(27		)	(163		)	(190		)
Time deposits	4,567,118			4,006,465			13,350		8,220		1.19		0.83		1,147			3,983			5,130
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements	202,226			176,854			107		38		0.21		0.09		6			63			69
Long-term debt	2,127,994			2,184,072			12,368		15,478		2.32		2.83		(391		)	(2,719		)	(3,110		)
Total interest-bearing liabilities	20,726,597			20,105,634			38,850		32,474		0.76		0.65		805			5,571			6,376
Non-interest bearing deposits	7,391,695			7,174,146
Other liabilities	210,558			218,666
Shareholders' equity	2,916,858			2,943,643
Total liabilities and equity	$	31,245,708		$	30,442,089
Interest rate spread:											3.55	%	3.23	%
Net interest income - FTE/margin⁽⁵⁾							$	274,400	$	240,236	3.78	%	3.42	%	$	8,752		$	25,412		$	34,164
Taxable equivalent adjustment							116		309
Net interest income, actual							$	274,284	$	239,927

⁽¹⁾Average loans are shown net of unearned income. Non-performing loans are included. Interest income includes fees as follows: 2018 - $7.9 million, 2017 - $7.9 million.

⁽²⁾ Reflects taxable-equivalent adjustments, using the statutory federal income tax rate (21% in 2018 and 35% in 2017), 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 $(100.6) million and $(49.8) million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and

2017, 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 1.50% to 1.75% and the current prime rate of 4.75%. 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 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, 2018, with comparable information for December 31, 2017.



	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, 2018	December 31, 2017
+200	2.9%	3.6%
+100	1.2%	1.9%
Flat	—%	—%
-100	-3.9%	-4.7%

Several factors could serve to diminish or eliminate this asset sensitivity in a rising rate environment. These factors include a higher than projected level of deposit customer migration to higher cost deposits, such as certificates of deposit, which would increase total interest expense and serve to reduce the realized level of asset sensitivity. Another factor which could impact the realized interest rate sensitivity is the repricing behavior of interest bearing non-maturity deposits. Assumptions for repricing are expressed as a beta relative to the change in the prime rate. For instance, a 50% beta would correspond to a deposit rate that would increase 0.5% for every 1% increase in the prime rate. Projected betas for interest bearing non-maturity deposit repricing are a key component of determining the Company's interest rate risk positioning. Projected betas are based on historical analysis, current product features, and deposit mix. These projected betas reflect an assumption that realized betas will increase as short-term rates increase. Should realized betas be higher than projections, the expected benefit from higher interest rates would be diminished. The following table presents an example of the potential impact of an increase in repricing betas on Synovus' realized interest rate sensitivity position.



	As of March 31, 2018
Change in Short-term Interest Rates (in basis points)	Base Scenario	15% Increase in Average Repricing Beta
+200	2.9%	1.2%
+100	1.2%	0.4%

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 increase by 1.9% and by 0.4%, assuming an immediate and sustained increase in interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points, respectively. Assuming an immediate 100 basis point decline in rates, EVE is projected to decrease by 16.9%. These metrics reflect a relatively stable long term interest rate risk position as compared to December 31, 2017.

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	Estimated Change in EVE
Immediate Change in Interest Rates (in basis points)	March 31, 2018	December 31, 2017
+200	0.4%	-0.2%
+100	1.9%	1.6%
-100	-16.9%	-16.9%

ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Several accounting standards will be effective in fiscal year 2019 or later. Synovus is currently evaluating the requirements of these new ASUs to determine the impact on the consolidated financial statements:


•	ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities


•	ASU 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs: Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities


•	ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment


•	ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (CECL)


•	ASU 2016-02, Leases

The ASUs with the most significant impact on Synovus are ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (CECL), effective in 2020 and ASU 2016-02, Leases, effective in 2019.

ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments--Credit Losses (CECL). In June 2016, the FASB issued the new guidance related to credit losses. The new guidance replaces the existing incurred loss impairment guidance with a single 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. Early adoption is permitted on January 1, 2019. Upon adoption, Synovus will record a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption.

Synovus has begun its implementation efforts which are led by a cross-functional steering committee. 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.

ASU 2016-02, Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, its new standard on lease accounting. ASU 2016-02 introduces a lessee model that brings most leases on the balance sheet. Under the new standard, all lessees will recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, including operating leases, with a lease term greater than 12 months. From a lessor perspective, the accounting model is largely unchanged, though the new standard does include certain targeted improvements to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and the revenue recognition guidance in ASC Topic 606 (those related to evaluating when profit can be recognized). For Synovus, the impact of this ASU will primarily relate to its accounting and reporting of leases as a lessee. The new ASU will be effective for Synovus beginning January 1, 2019. The standard also requires additional disclosures regarding leasing arrangements.

Synovus is currently evaluating the potential financial statement impact from the implementation of this standard by reviewing its existing lease contracts and other contracts that may include embedded leases. Synovus currently expects to recognize lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets (at their present value) related to substantially all of the $230 million of future minimum lease commitments as disclosed in Note 7 of Synovus' 2017 Form 10-K . However, the population of contracts requiring balance sheet recognition and their initial measurement continues to be under evaluation.

See "Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies" in this Report for a discussion of recently adopted accounting standards updates.

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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 and determination of the fair value of financial instruments. 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' 2017 Form 10-K should be reviewed for a greater understanding of how we record and report our financial performance. In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows-Restricted Cash, Synovus changed its presentation of cash and cash equivalents, effective January 1, 2018, to include cash and due from banks as well as interest bearing funds with the Federal Reserve Bank, interest earning deposits with banks, and federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements, which are inclusive of any restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Prior to 2018, cash and cash equivalents only included cash and due from banks. Prior periods have been revised to maintain comparability. Excluding the aforementioned presentation change, 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' 2017 Form 10-K.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The measures entitled adjusted non-interest income; adjusted non-interest expense; adjusted 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; average non-time core deposits; tangible common equity ratio; and common equity Tier 1 (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; efficiency ratio; net income per common share, diluted; return on average assets; return on average common equity; total average 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 non-interest income is a measure 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 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 are not indicative of ongoing operations and impact period-to-period comparisons. Average non-time core deposits is a measure used by management to evaluate organic growth of deposits and the quality of deposits as a funding source. 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. The tangible common equity ratio and common equity Tier 1 (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.



Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures	Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	March 31, 2018			March 31, 2017
Adjusted non-interest income
Total non-interest income	$	67,046		$	71,839
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net	—			(7,668		)
Add: Decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	3,056			1,814
Adjusted non-interest income	$	70,102		$	65,985

Adjusted non-interest expense
Total non-interest expense	$	195,179		$	197,388
Subtract: Merger-related expense	—			(86		)
Add: Litigation contingency expense	2,626			—
Add/subtract: Restructuring charges, net	315			(6,511		)
Subtract: Amortization of intangibles	(292		)	(183		)
Adjusted non-interest expense	$	197,828		$	190,608

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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, continued	Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	March 31, 2018			March 31, 2017
Adjusted efficiency ratio
Adjusted non-interest expense	$	197,828		$	190,608

Net interest income	274,284			239,927
Add: Tax equivalent adjustment	116			309
Add: Total non-interest income	67,046			71,839
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net	—			(7,668		)
Total FTE revenues	$	341,446		$	304,407
Add: Decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	3,056			1,814
Adjusted total revenues	$	344,502		$	306,221
Efficiency ratio	57.16		%	64.84		%
Adjusted efficiency ratio	57.42			62.25

Adjusted net income per common share, diluted
Net income available to common shareholders	$	100,607		$	69,298
Add: Income tax expense related to effects of State Tax Reform	1,325			—
Add: Merger-related expense	—			86
Subtract: Litigation contingency expense	(2,626		)	—
Subtract/add: Restructuring charges, net	(315		)	6,511
Add: Amortization of intangibles	292			183
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net	—			(7,668		)
Add: Decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	3,056			1,814
Subtract: Tax effect of adjustments	(96		)	(333		)
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders	$	102,243		$	69,891
Weighted average common shares outstanding	119,321			123,059
Adjusted net income per common share, diluted	$	0.86		$	0.57

Adjusted return on average assets (annualized)
Net income	$	103,166		$	71,857
Add: Income tax expense related to effects of State Tax Reform	1,325			—
Add: Merger-related expense	—			86
Subtract: Litigation contingency expense	(2,626		)	—
Subtract/add: Restructuring charges, net	(315		)	6,511
Add: Amortization of intangibles	292			183
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net	—			(7,668		)
Add: Decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	3,056			1,814
Subtract: Tax effect of adjustments	(96		)	(333		)
Adjusted net income	$	104,802		$	72,450
Net income annualized	$	418,395		$	291,420
Adjusted net income annualized	$	425,030		$	293,825
Total average assets	$	31,245,708		$	30,442,089
Return on average assets	1.34		%	0.96		%
Adjusted return on average assets (annualized)	1.36		%	0.97		%

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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, continued	Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017			March 31, 2017
Adjusted return on average common equity and adjusted return on average tangible common equity (annualized)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	100,607		$	27,046		$	69,298
Add:Earnout liability adjustments	—			1,700			—
Add: Income Tax expense related to effects of Federal Tax Reform	—			47,181			—
Add: Income Tax expense related to effects of State Tax Reform	1,325			—			—
Add: Merger-related expense	—			—			86
Subtract/add: Litigation contingency expense	(2,626		)	300			—
Subtract/add: Restructuring charges, net	(315		)	(29		)	6,511
Add: Amortization of intangibles	292			292			183
Add: Loss on early extinguishment of debt	—			23,160			—
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net	—			—			(7,668		)
Add/subtract: Decrease (increase) in fair value of private equity investments, net	3,056			(100		)	1,814
Subtract: Income tax benefit related to pre-2017 R&D credits and state taxes	—			(4,847		)	—
Subtract: Tax effect of adjustments	(96		)	(8,740		)	(333		)
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders	$	102,243		$	85,963		$	69,891
Net income annualized	$	414,652		$	341,049		$	283,447

Total average shareholders' equity less preferred stock	$	2,790,878		$	2,851,523		$	2,817,663
Subtract: Goodwill	(57,315		)	(57,315		)	(59,649		)
Subtract: Other intangible assets, net	(10,915		)	(11,353		)	(13,177		)
Total average tangible shareholders' equity less preferred stock	$	2,722,648		$	2,782,855		$	2,744,837
Adjusted return on average common equity (annualized)	14.86		%	11.96		%	10.06		%
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity (annualized)	15.23			12.26			10.33

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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, continued
(dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017			March 31, 2017
Average non-time core deposits
Average total deposits	$	25,788,073		$	26,286,009		$	24,918,855
Subtract: Average brokered deposits	(1,951,910		)	(2,198,333		)	(1,380,787		)
Subtract: Average non-brokered time deposits	(3,039,325		)	(3,170,445		)	(3,245,306		)
Average non-time core deposits	$	20,796,838		$	20,917,231		$	20,292,762

Tangible common equity ratio
Total assets	$	31,501,028		$	31,221,837		$	30,679,589
Subtract: Goodwill	(57,315		)	(57,315		)	(57,010		)
Subtract: Other intangible assets, net	(10,750		)	(11,254		)	(12,137		)
Tangible assets	$	31,432,963		$	31,153,268		$	30,610,442
Total shareholders' equity	$	2,956,495		$	2,961,566		$	2,962,127
Subtract: Goodwill	(57,315		)	(57,315		)	(57,010		)
Subtract: Other intangible assets, net	(10,750		)	(11,254		)	(12,137		)
Subtract: Series C Preferred Stock, no par value	(125,980		)	(125,980		)	(125,980		)
Tangible common equity	$	2,762,450		$	2,767,017		$	2,767,000
Total shareholders' equity to total assets ratio	9.39		%	9.49		%	9.66		%
Tangible common equity ratio	8.79			8.88			9.04

Common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio (fully phased-in)
Common equity Tier 1 (CET1)	$	2,814,494
Subtract: Adjustment related to capital components	(16,365		)
CET1 (fully phased-in)	$	2,798,129
Total risk-weighted assets	$	27,781,615
Total risk-weighted assets (fully phased-in)	$	27,907,054
Common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio	10.13		%
Common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio (fully phased-in)	10.03



	Current outlook- increase (decrease) vs. 2017
(dollars in thousands)	2017			$	%
2018 Outlook for adjusted non-interest income growth
Total non-interest income, as reported	$	345,327		$285 million-$290 million	(16%)-(18%)
Subtract: Cabela's Transaction Fee	(75,000		)
Add: Investment securities losses, net	289
Add: decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net	3,093
Adjusted non-interest income	$	273,709		$285 million-$290 million	4%-6%

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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, 2018, 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, 2018 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 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 and financial condition for any particular period. For additional information, see "Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies" of this Report, which Note is 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’ 2017 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 were no material changes during the period covered by this Report to the risk factors previously disclosed in Synovus’ 2017 10-K.

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

(a) None.

(b) None.

Synovus' Board of Directors authorized a $150 million share repurchase program that will expire at the end of 2018. This program was announced on January 23, 2018. The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the first quarter of 2018.



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 2018	385	$	50.19	385	$	130,659
February 2018	147	49.45		147	123,399
March 2018	3	48.83		3	123,277
Total	535	$	49.98	535

⁽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 2018 were purchased through open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act.

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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

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			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.

12.1			Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

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 7, 2018	By:	/s/ Kevin S. Blair
Date		Kevin S. Blair
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)