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SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2019 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, 2019
Commission file number 1-10312
 
______________________________
financialappendix930a86.jpg
SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
______________________________
 
Georgia
 
58-1134883
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1111 Bay Avenue
Suite 500, Columbus, Georgia
 
31901
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (706) 649-2311
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value
Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
______________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES x  NO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).   YES x  NO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
¨
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ¨    NO x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s class of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
 
 
April 30, 2019

Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value
 
 
 
157,501,073




Table of Contents

Table of Contents
 
 
 
 
 
Page
Financial Information
 
 
 
Index of Defined Terms
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018
 
 
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
 
 
Other Information
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Item 5.
Other Information
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
Signatures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents



SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
AICPA – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
ALCO – Synovus' Asset Liability Management Committee
ALL – Allowance for loan losses
AOCI – Accumulated other comprehensive income
Acquisition Date – Effective January 1, 2019, Synovus completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of FCB Financial Holdings, Inc.
ASC – Accounting Standards Codification
ASC 310-30 loans – Loans accounted for in accordance with ASC 310 – 30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality
ASU – Accounting Standards Update
ATM – Automatic teller machine
Azalea Merger Sub – Azalea Merger Sub Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus which was formed for the express and limited purpose of the Merger
Basel III – The third Basel Accord developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to strengthen existing regulatory capital requirements
BOLI – Bank-owned life insurance
BOV – Broker’s opinion of value
bp(s) – Basis point(s)
C&I – Commercial and industrial
CECL Current expected credit losses
CET1 – Common Equity Tier 1 Capital defined by Basel III capital rules
CME – Chicago Mercantile Exchange
CMO – Collateralized Mortgage Obligation
Cabela’s Transaction – The transaction completed on September 25, 2017 whereby Synovus Bank acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of World's Foremost Bank ("WFB") and then immediately thereafter sold WFB’s credit card assets and certain related liabilities to Capital One Bank (USA), National Association.  As a part of this transaction, Synovus Bank retained WFB’s $1.10 billion brokered time deposit portfolio and received a $75.0 million fee from Cabela’s Incorporated and Capital One.  Throughout this Report, we refer to this transaction as the “Cabela’s Transaction” and the associated $75.0 million fee received from Cabela’s and Capital One as the “Cabela’s Transaction Fee
Code – Internal Revenue Code
Company – Synovus Financial Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, except where the context requires otherwise
Covered Litigation – Certain Visa litigation for which Visa is indemnified by Visa USA members
CRE – Commercial real estate
DIF – Deposit Insurance Fund
Dodd-Frank Act – The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
EVE – Economic value of equity
Exchange Act – Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASB – Financial Accounting Standards Board
FCB – FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, except where the context requires otherwise
FDIC – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

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Federal Reserve Bank – The 12 banks that are the operating arms of the U.S. central bank. They implement the policies of the Federal Reserve Board and also conduct economic research
Federal Reserve Board – The 7-member Board of Governors that oversees the Federal Reserve System, establishes monetary policy (interest rates, credit, etc.), and monitors the economic health of the country. Its members are appointed by the President subject to Senate confirmation, and serve 14-year terms
Federal Reserve System – The 12 Federal Reserve Banks, with each one serving member banks in its own district. This system, supervised by the Federal Reserve Board, has broad regulatory powers over the money supply and the credit structure
Federal Tax Reform – Enactment of H.R. 1, formerly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, on December 22, 2017, legislation in which a number of changes were made under the Internal Revenue Code, including a reduction of the corporate income tax rate, significant limitations on the deductibility of interest, allowance of the expensing of capital expenditures, limitation on deductibility of FDIC insurance premiums, and limitation of the deductibility of certain performance-based compensation, among others
FFIEC – Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
FFIEC Retail Credit Classification Policy – FFIEC Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy
FHLB – Federal Home Loan Bank
FICO – Fair Isaac Corporation
FTE – Fully taxable-equivalent
GA DBF – Georgia Department of Banking and Finance
GAAP – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America
GGL – Government guaranteed loans
Global One – Entaire Global Companies, Inc., the parent company of Global One Financial, Inc., as acquired by Synovus on October 1, 2016. Throughout this Report, we refer to this acquisition as "Global One"
GSE – Government sponsored enterprise
HELOC – Home equity line of credit
Interagency Supervisory Guidance – Interagency Supervisory Guidance on Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses Estimation Practices for Loans and Lines of Credit Secured by Junior Liens on 1-4 Family Residential Properties
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
LIHTC – Low Income Housing Tax Credit
LTV – Loan-to-collateral value ratio
Merger Agreement – Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Synovus, FCB and Azalea Merger Sub Corp. dated as of July 23, 2018
Merger – The January 1, 2019 merger of Azalea Merger Sub with and into FCB and immediately thereafter, the merger of FCB with and into Synovus, with Synovus continuing as the surviving entity pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement
MPS – Merchant processing servicer(s)
NAICS – North American Industry Classification System
nm – not meaningful
NPA – Non-performing assets
NPL – Non-performing loans
NSF – Non-sufficient funds
OCI – Other comprehensive income
ORE – Other real estate
OTC – Over-the-counter
OTTI – Other-than-temporary impairment

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Table of Contents

Parent Company – Synovus Financial Corp.
ROU – Right-of-use
SBA – Small Business Administration
SEC – U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities Act – Securities Act of 1933, as amended
Series C Preferred Stock – Synovus' Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, $25 liquidation preference
Series D Preferred Stock – Synovus' Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D, $25 liquidation preference
Synovus – Synovus Financial Corp.
Synovus Bank – A Georgia state-chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus, through which Synovus conducts its banking operations
Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K – Synovus' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018
Synovus Mortgage – Synovus Mortgage Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus Bank
Synovus Securities – Synovus Securities, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus
Synovus Trust – Synovus Trust Company, N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus Bank
TDR – Troubled debt restructuring (as defined in ASC 310-40)
the Treasury – United States Department of the Treasury
UPB – Unpaid principal balance
VIE – Variable interest entity (as defined in ASC 810-10)
Visa – The Visa U.S.A., Inc. card association or its affiliates, collectively
Visa Class A shares – Class A shares of common stock issued by Visa are publicly traded shares which are not subject to restrictions on sale
Visa Class B shares – Class B shares of common stock issued by Visa which are subject to restrictions with respect to sale until all of the Covered Litigation has been settled. Class B shares will be convertible into Visa Class A shares using a then-current conversion ratio upon the lifting of restrictions with respect to sale of Visa Class B shares
Visa Derivative – A derivative contract with the purchaser of Visa Class B shares which provides for settlements between the purchaser and Synovus based upon a change in the ratio for conversion of Visa Class B shares into Visa Class A shares
Warrant – A warrant issued to the Treasury by Synovus to purchase up to 2,215,820 shares of Synovus common stock at a per share exercise price of $65.52 expiring on December 19, 2018, as was issued by Synovus to Treasury in 2008 in connection with the Capital Purchase Program, promulgated under the Emergency Stabilization Act of 2008
WFB – World's Foremost Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cabela's Incorporated

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
519,681

 
$
468,426

Interest-bearing funds with Federal Reserve Bank
688,470

 
641,476

Interest earning deposits with banks
24,147

 
19,841

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements
33,627

 
13,821

     Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents
1,265,925

 
1,143,564

Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value
55,970

 
37,129

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
6,808,191

 
3,991,632

Loans
35,634,501

 
25,946,573

Allowance for loan losses
(257,036
)
 
(250,555
)
Loans, net
35,377,465

 
25,696,018

Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
761,098

 
554,134

Premises and equipment, net
479,965

 
434,307

Goodwill
485,000

 
57,315

Other intangible assets
74,683

 
9,875

Other assets
1,321,728

 
745,218

Total assets
$
46,630,025

 
$
32,669,192

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
Non-interest-bearing deposits
$
9,144,315

 
$
7,650,967

Interest-bearing deposits
28,930,875

 
19,069,355

Total deposits
38,075,190

 
26,720,322

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
314,383

 
237,692

Other short-term borrowings
853,000

 
650,000

Long-term debt
2,106,037

 
1,657,157

Other liabilities
683,662

 
270,419

Total liabilities
42,032,272

 
29,535,590

Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
Series D Preferred Stock – no par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; 8,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018
195,140

 
195,140

Common stock - $1.00 par value. Authorized 342,857,143 shares; 165,929,349 issued at March 31, 2019 and 143,300,449 issued at December 31, 2018; 157,454,007 outstanding at March 31, 2019 and 115,865,510 outstanding at December 31, 2018
165,929

 
143,300

Additional paid-in capital
3,794,262

 
3,060,561

Treasury stock, at cost – 8,475,342 shares at March 31, 2019 and 27,434,939 shares at December 31, 2018
(319,898
)
 
(1,014,746
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
(18,342
)
 
(94,420
)
Retained earnings
780,662

 
843,767

Total shareholders’ equity
4,597,753

 
3,133,602

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
46,630,025

 
$
32,669,192

 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)
2019
 
2018
Interest income:
 
 
 
      Loans, including fees
$
447,769

 
$
285,340

      Investment securities available for sale
49,938

 
23,928

      Mortgage loans held for sale
391

 
379

      Federal Reserve Bank balances
3,671

 
1,750

      Other earning assets
3,070

 
1,737

Total interest income
504,839

 
313,134

Interest expense:
 
 
 
Deposits
87,684

 
26,375

Federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings
3,463

 
1,601

Long-term debt
16,517

 
10,874

Total interest expense
107,664

 
38,850

Net interest income
397,175

 
274,284

Provision for loan losses
23,569

 
12,776

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
373,606

 
261,508

Non-interest income:
 
 
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
20,859

 
19,940

Fiduciary and asset management fees
13,578

 
13,435

Card fees
10,877

 
10,199

Brokerage revenue
9,406

 
8,695

Mortgage banking income
5,054

 
5,047

Income from bank-owned life insurance
5,290

 
4,217

Swap fee income
4,778

 
690

Investment securities gains, net
75

 

Other non-interest income
9,461

 
4,823

Total non-interest income
79,378

 
67,046

Non-interest expense:
 
 
 
Salaries and other personnel expense
139,427

 
113,720

Net occupancy and equipment expense
38,394

 
31,480

Third-party processing expense
17,758

 
13,945

FDIC insurance and other regulatory fees
6,761

 
6,793

Professional fees
6,348

 
5,505

Advertising expense
5,123

 
5,092

Amortization of intangibles
3,392

 
292

Merger-related expense
49,738

 

Other operating expenses
25,469

 
18,352

Total non-interest expense
292,410

 
195,179

Income before income taxes
160,574

 
133,375

Income tax expense
40,388

 
30,209

Net income
120,186

 
103,166

Less: Preferred stock dividends
3,150

 
2,559

Net income available to common shareholders
$
117,036

 
$
100,607

Net income per common share, basic
$
0.73

 
$
0.85

Net income per common share, diluted
0.72

 
0.84

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
160,927

 
118,666

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted
162,760

 
119,321

 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
(in thousands)
Before-tax Amount
 
Tax (Expense) Benefit
 
Net of Tax Amount
 
Before-tax Amount
 
Tax (Expense) Benefit
 
Net of Tax Amount
Net income
$
160,574

 
$
(40,388
)
 
$
120,186

 
$
133,375

 
$
(30,209
)
 
$
103,166

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income
(75
)
 
19

 
(56
)
 

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
102,785

 
(26,621
)
 
76,164

 
(61,445
)
 
15,914

 
(45,531
)
Net unrealized gains (losses)
102,710

 
(26,602
)
 
76,108

 
(61,445
)
 
15,914

 
(45,531
)
Post-retirement unfunded health benefit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income
(35
)
 
5

 
(30
)
 
(34
)
 
13

 
(21
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
102,675

 
$
(26,597
)
 
$
76,078

 
$
(61,479
)
 
$
15,927

 
$
(45,552
)
Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
$
196,264

 
 
 
 
 
$
57,614

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.




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Table of Contents

SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Series C Preferred Stock
 
Series D Preferred Stock
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Retained Earnings
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
125,980

 
$

 
$
142,678

 
$
3,043,129

 
$
(839,674
)
 
$
(54,754
)
 
$
544,207

 
$
2,961,566

Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2014-09

 

 

 

 

 

 
(685
)
 
(685
)
Reclassification from adoption of ASU 2018-02

 

 

 

 

 
(7,588
)
 
7,588

 

Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2016-01

 

 

 

 

 
117

 
(117
)
 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 
103,166

 
103,166

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

 

 

 

 

 
(45,552
)
 

 
(45,552
)
Cash dividends declared on common stock - $0.25 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 
(29,675
)
 
(29,675
)
Cash dividends paid on Series C Preferred Stock - $0.49 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2,559
)
 
(2,559
)
Repurchases of common stock

 

 

 

 
(26,733
)
 

 

 
(26,733
)
Restricted share unit vesting and taxes paid related to net share settlement

 

 
266

 
(8,494
)
 

 

 

 
(8,228
)
Stock options exercised

 

 
73

 
1,167

 

 

 

 
1,240

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 
3,955

 

 

 

 
3,955

Balance at March 31, 2018
$
125,980

 
$

 
$
143,017

 
$
3,039,757

 
$
(866,407
)
 
$
(107,777
)
 
$
621,925

 
$
2,956,495

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018
$

 
$
195,140

 
$
143,300

 
$
3,060,561

 
$
(1,014,746
)
 
$
(94,420
)
 
$
843,767

 
$
3,133,602

Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2016-02

 

 

 

 

 

 
4,270

 
4,270

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 
120,186

 
120,186

Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes

 

 

 

 

 
76,078

 

 
76,078

FCB Acquisition:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

 

 
22,043

 
682,713

 

 

 

 
704,756

     Common stock reissued

 

 

 

 
1,014,746

 

 
(137,176
)
 
877,570

     Fair value of exchanged equity awards and warrants attributed to purchase price

 

 

 
43,362

 

 

 

 
43,362

Cash dividends declared on common stock - $0.30 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 
(47,235
)
 
(47,235
)
Cash dividends paid on Series D Preferred Stock - $0.39 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 
(3,150
)
 
(3,150
)
Repurchases of common stock including costs to repurchase

 

 

 

 
(320,167
)
 

 

 
(320,167
)
Restricted share unit vesting and taxes paid related to net share settlement

 

 
235

 
(8,647
)
 

 

 

 
(8,412
)
Stock options/warrants exercised, net

 

 
351

 
6,029

 
269

 

 

 
6,649

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 
10,244

 

 

 

 
10,244

Balance at March 31, 2019
$

 
$
195,140

 
$
165,929

 
$
3,794,262

 
$
(319,898
)
 
$
(18,342
)
 
$
780,662

 
$
4,597,753

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.



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Table of Contents

SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2019 (1)
 
2018
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
120,186

 
$
103,166

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
23,569

 
12,776

Depreciation, amortization, and accretion, net
7,000

 
14,823

Deferred income tax expense
6,915

 
2,599

Originations of mortgage loans held for sale
(120,207
)
 
(128,618
)
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale
104,552

 
130,805

Gain on sales of mortgage loans held for sale, net
(3,534
)
 
(3,445
)
Decrease (increase) in other assets
21,634

 
(45,764
)
Decrease in other liabilities
(27,776
)
 
(8,466
)
Investment securities gains, net
(75
)
 

Share-based compensation expense
10,244

 
3,955

Net cash provided by operating activities
142,508

 
81,831

 
 
 
 
Investing Activities
 
 
 
Net cash received in business combination, net of cash paid
201,100

 

Proceeds from maturities and principal collections of investment securities available for sale
197,726

 
139,929

Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale
1,188,239

 

Purchases of investment securities available for sale
(1,800,346
)
 
(211,085
)
Proceeds from sales of loans
13,654

 
10,885

Proceeds from sales of other real estate and other assets
6,273

 
2,090

Net increase in loans excluding loans acquired in business combination
(423,514
)
 
(109,180
)
Net (purchases) redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
(24,239
)
 
(6,375
)
Net redemptions (purchases) of Federal Reserve Bank stock
1,285

 
(20
)
Purchases of bank-owned life insurance policies, net of settlements
656

 
1,523

Net increase in premises and equipment
(9,209
)
 
(9,212
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(648,375
)
 
(181,445
)
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities
 
 
 
Net increase in deposits
434,677

 
105,502

Net increase in federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
47,552

 
24,341

Net change in other short-term borrowings
203,000

 
(100,000
)
Repayments and redemption of long-term debt

 
(2,030,030
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net
297,045

 
2,280,000

Dividends paid to common shareholders
(28,966
)
 
(17,835
)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders
(3,150
)
 
(2,559
)
Stock options and warrants exercised
6,649

 
1,240

Repurchase of common stock
(320,167
)
 
(26,733
)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards
(8,412
)
 
(8,228
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
628,228

 
225,698

Increase in cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash
122,361

 
126,084

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period
1,143,564

 
932,933

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,265,925

 
$
1,059,017

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosures:
 
 
 
Income taxes paid (refunded)
$
1,050

 
$
183

Interest paid
95,630

 
33,431

Non-cash Activities
 
 
 
Common stock issued, treasury stock reissued, equity awards/warrants exchanged to acquire FCB
1,625,688

 

Loans foreclosed and transferred to other real estate
1,419

 
3,407

Loans transferred to/(from) other loans held for sale at fair value
12,237

 
5,233

Subtopic 825-10 equity investment securities available for sale transferred to other assets

 
3,162

   Dividends declared on common stock during the period but paid after period-end
47,235

 
29,675

 
 
 
 

(1) Where applicable, changes for balances as of March 31, 2019, compared to December 31, 2018, exclude amounts acquired on the Acquisition Date.
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.


5


Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
General
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Synovus Financial Corp. include the accounts of the Parent Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Synovus Financial Corp. is a financial services company based in Columbus, Georgia. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Synovus Bank, a Georgia state-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, the company provides commercial and retail banking in addition to a full suite of specialized products and services including private banking, treasury management, wealth management, premium finance and international banking. Synovus Bank is positioned in markets in the Southeast, with 300 branches and 384 ATMs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to the SEC Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X; therefore, they do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. All adjustments consisting of normally recurring accruals that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the periods covered by this Report have been included. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K.
Reclassifications
Prior periods' consolidated financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to the current periods' presentation.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
In preparing the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the respective consolidated balance sheets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the periods presented. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses; estimates of fair value; income taxes; and contingent liabilities including legal matters, among others.
Purchased loans
Purchased loans are recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, consistent with the exit price concept on the date of acquisition. Credit risk assumptions and resulting credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value; therefore, no ALL is recorded at the acquisition date. 
Pursuant to an AICPA letter dated December 18, 2009, the AICPA summarized the SEC staff's view regarding the accounting in subsequent periods for discount accretion associated with loan receivables acquired in a business combination or asset purchase. Regarding the accounting for such loan receivables, in the absence of further standard setting, the AICPA understands the SEC staff would not object to an accounting policy based on contractual cash flows (ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs) or an accounting policy based on expected cash flows (ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality). Synovus analogizes to ASC Topic 310-30 to account for the fair value discount.
Purchased loans are evaluated upon acquisition as following the ASC 310-30 approach or ASC 310-20. Loans meeting the scope exception of ASC 310-30 (e.g. loans with revolving components) are not permitted to be analogized and will be accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-20.  For ASC 310-30 loans, expected cash flows at the acquisition date in excess of the fair value of loans are recorded as interest income over the life of the loans using a level yield method if the timing and amount of the future cash flows is reasonably estimable. Subsequent to the acquisition date, increases in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date are recognized prospectively as interest income. Decreases in expected cash flows due to credit deterioration are recognized by recording an ALL. Loan removals from pools due to pay-off or charge-off are removed at their carrying amount.  The difference between the carrying amount and the amount received to satisfy the loan is recorded in interest income.  For ASC 310-20 loans, the difference between the fair value and UPB of the loan at the acquisition date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the contractual life of the loans using the effective interest method. In the event of prepayment, the remaining unamortized amount is recognized in interest income in the quarter of prepayment.
       
Due to the significant difference in accounting for ASC 310-30 loans, Synovus believes inclusion of these loans in certain asset quality ratios that reflect non-performing assets in the numerator or denominator (or both) results in significant distortion to these ratios. In addition, because loan level charge-offs related to ASC 310-30 loans are not recognized in the financial statements until the cumulative amounts exceed the original loss projections on a pool basis, the net charge-off ratio is inconsistent with the

6


net charge-off ratio for other loan portfolios. The inclusion of ASC 310-30 loans in certain asset quality ratios could result in a lack of comparability across quarters or years, and could impact comparability with other portfolios that were not impacted by ASC 310-30 accounting. Synovus believes that presenting certain loan and asset quality disclosures separately for ASC 310-20 and ASC 310-30 loans, and/or excluding ASC 310-30 loans, where appropriate and indicated within each table, provides better perspective into underlying trends related to the quality of its loan portfolio.
Non-interest Income - Revenue from Contracts with Customers within the scope of ASC Topic 606
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts: Revenue from service charges on deposit accounts is earned through cash management, wire transfer, and other deposit-related services, as well as overdraft, non-sufficient funds, account management and other deposit-related fees. Revenue is recognized for these services either over time, corresponding with deposit accounts' monthly cycle, or at a point in time for transaction-related services and fees. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers' accounts.
Fiduciary and Asset Management Fees: Fiduciary and asset management fees are primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts and other customer assets. Synovus' performance obligation is generally satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly, based upon the month-end market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate. Payment is generally received a few days after month-end through a direct charge to customers' accounts. Synovus does not earn performance-based incentives.
Card Fees: Card fees consist primarily of interchange fees from consumer credit and debit cards processed by card association networks, as well as merchant discounts, and other card-related services. Interchange rates are generally set by the credit card associations and based on purchase volumes and other factors. Interchange fees and merchant discounts are recognized concurrently with the delivery of service on a daily basis as transactions occur. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month. Card fees are reported net of certain associated expense items including loyalty program expenses and network expenses.
Brokerage Revenue: Brokerage revenue consists primarily of commissions. Additionally, brokerage revenue includes advisory fees earned from the management of customer assets. Advisory fees for brokerage services are recognized and collected monthly and are based upon the month-end market value of the assets under management at a rate predetermined in the contract. Transactional revenues are based on the size and number of transactions executed at the client's direction and are generally recognized on the trade date with payment received on the settlement date.
Insurance Revenue (included in other non-interest income on the consolidated statements of income): Insurance revenue primarily consists of commissions received on annuity and life product sales. The commissions are recognized as revenue when the customer executes an insurance policy with the insurance carrier. In some cases, Synovus receives payment of trailing commissions each year when the customer pays its annual premium.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842). In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, its new standard on lease accounting. ASU 2016-02 introduces a lessee model that brings substantially all operating leases on the balance sheet through the recognition of a ROU asset and a lease liability, and requires the disclosure of additional qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements. The accounting model for financing leases from a lessee perspective, and for all leases from a lessor perspective remains largely unchanged from prior GAAP (ASC 840). Subsequent to the issuance of Topic 842, the FASB clarified the guidance through several ASUs; referred to hereinafter as “ASC 842”.
Synovus adopted ASC 842 prospectively as of January 1, 2019 for existing leasing arrangements. As such, financial information was not updated and the disclosures required under the new standard are not presented for dates and periods prior to January 1, 2019. Refer to the 2018 10-K for lease disclosures surrounding prior period information reported under ASC 840, Leases. For leases that commenced prior to the effective date of ASC 842, Synovus elected the package of practical expedients not to reassess (a) whether existing contracts contain leases, (b) lease classification for existing leases, and (c) initial direct cost for any existing leases as well as the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. Additionally, we did not elect the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components for all of our leases.
Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of ROU assets and lease liabilities of $387.3 million and $390.6 million, respectively, as of January 1, 2019. These amounts were based on the present value of the remaining rental payments for existing leases and include consideration for renewal and termination options available that we were reasonably certain of exercising. The adoption of the standard also resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment, net of income taxes, to the beginning balance of retained earnings of $4.3 million ($3.9 million of which consisted of deferred gains associated with sale-leaseback transactions that previously did not qualify for recognition). The ROU assets are included in other assets (other than $3.5 million of finance leases included in premises and equipment) on the consolidated balance sheet and the lease liabilities are included in other liabilities. Adoption of the standard did not materially impact our consolidated statements of income and had no impact on cash flows.

7


Synovus determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception in accordance with ASC 842-10-15-3 and classifies leases as either operating or financing from a lessee perspective and operating or direct financing and sales-type from a lessor perspective based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied under ASC 840, Leases, but without explicit bright lines.
ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. The determination of future minimum lease payments includes consideration for extension or termination options when it is reasonably certain Synovus will exercise that option as well as rent escalation clauses (including market or index-based escalations) and abatements, capital improvement funding or other lease concessions. As most leases in Synovus' portfolio do not provide an implicit rate, Synovus utilizes a collateralized incremental borrowing rate, referenced to the Federal Home Loan Bank rates for borrowings of similar terms, based on the information available at lease commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. Additionally, for all real estate leases, Synovus applies a portfolio approach (based on lease term) in the application of the discount rate. Determination of the ROU asset also includes prepaid lease payments and amounts recognized relating to favorable or unfavorable lease terms from leases acquired through business combinations.
For operating leases, minimum rental expense is recognized on a straight-line basis based on the fixed components of leasing arrangements. Variable lease components represent amounts that are not fixed in nature and are not tied to an index or rate, and are recognized as expense when incurred. For financing leases, rent expense is recognized as amortization expense on a straight-line basis and interest expense using the effective interest method. Additionally, leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; lease expense for these leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Net lease cost is recorded net of sublease income. For leases beginning in 2019 and later, lease components (e.g., base rent) are accounted for separately from non-lease components (e.g., common-area maintenance costs, real estate taxes and insurance costs).
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment: In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017- 04, which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, any carrying amount which exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value (up to the amount of goodwill recorded) will be recognized as an impairment loss. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. Synovus elected to early adopt the guidance, effective January 1, 2019 and will apply the guidance prospectively, beginning with its annual impairment test as of June 30, 2019. Based on goodwill impairment tests performed in 2018, which did not require the application of Step 2, Synovus does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have an immediate impact.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments--Credit Losses (CECL). In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to credit losses. The new guidance (and all subsequent ASUs) replaces the existing incurred loss impairment guidance with an expected credit loss methodology. The new guidance will require management’s estimate of credit losses over the full remaining expected life of loans and other financial instruments. For Synovus, the standard will apply to loans, unfunded loan commitments, and debt securities available for sale. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. Synovus will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2020. Upon adoption, Synovus will record a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption. In addition, the amendments provide for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since their acquisition ("PCD assets"). The initial estimate of expected credit losses on PCD assets will be recognized through the ALL with an offset to the cost basis of the related financial asset at acquisition.  
Synovus is continuing its implementation efforts which are led by a cross-functional steering committee.  The team meets periodically to discuss the latest developments and ensure progress compared to planned timings.  We commenced limited parallel testing and will continue in the second quarter as we progress toward model validation and complete fit-for-purpose testing. Management expects that the allowance for loan losses will be higher under the new standard; however, management is still in the process of determining the magnitude of the impact on its financial statements and regulatory capital ratios.  Additionally, the extent of the expected increase on the allowance for loan losses will depend upon the composition of the loan portfolio upon adoption of the standard, as well as economic conditions and forecasts at that time.

8



Note 2 - Acquisitions
Acquisition of FCB Financial Holdings, Inc.
Effective January 1, 2019 (the "Acquisition Date"), Synovus completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. (FCB), a bank holding company based in Weston, Florida, for total consideration of approximately $1.6 billion. Effective January 1, 2019, FCB's wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Florida Community Bank National Association, merged into Synovus Bank. On the Acquisition Date, the preliminary estimated fair values of FCB included approximately $12.4 billion of identifiable assets, $9.3 billion in loans, and $10.9 billion in deposits. With the addition of FCB and its 51 full service banking centers, Synovus expanded its deposit base in the Southeast. The addition of FCB elevated Synovus' growth profile through a deepened presence in high-growth Florida markets. Conversion of FCB systems is scheduled to occur during the second quarter of 2019. The results of FCB's operations are included in Synovus' consolidated financial statements since the Acquisition Date.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each outstanding share of FCB common stock was converted into the right to receive 1.055 Synovus common shares and cash in lieu of fractional shares. Additionally, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, certain outstanding FCB non-vested equity awards with a fair value of $7.4 million on the Acquisition Date, accelerated vesting and converted automatically into the right to receive merger consideration at the merger exchange ratio of 1.055, or an equivalent amount in cash, of which $3.5 million was allocated to purchase price and the remaining to merger-related compensation expense. In the aggregate, on the Acquisition Date, FCB stockholders received 49.5 million shares of Synovus common stock valued at approximately $1.6 billion and $601 thousand in cash. Also, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, FCB employee and non-employee director outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted share units as well as outstanding FCB warrants were converted into options, restricted share units, and warrants, respectively, to purchase and receive Synovus common stock. The converted options and restricted share units had a fair value of $41.5 million on the Acquisition Date, of which $37.3 million was allocated to purchase price and the remaining to compensation expense and the converted warrants had a fair value of $6.7 million attributed to purchase price. The estimated fair value of the converted restricted share units was based on Synovus' closing stock price on December 31, 2018 of $31.99, and the estimated fair value of the converted stock options was determined using a Hull-White model in a binomial lattice option pricing framework. The estimated fair value of the converted warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model.
The acquisition of FCB constituted a business combination and was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration exchanged were recorded at their estimated fair value on the Acquisition Date. The determination of estimated fair values requires management to make certain estimates about discount rates, future expected cash flows, market conditions, and other future events that are highly subjective in nature and may require adjustments. Upon receipt of final fair value estimates during the measurement period, which must be within one year of the acquisition date, Synovus will record any adjustments to the preliminary fair value estimates in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. Fair value adjustments based on updated estimates could materially affect the goodwill recorded on the acquisition. Synovus may incur losses on the acquired loans that are materially different from losses Synovus originally projected.
During the first quarter of 2019, Synovus recorded preliminary purchase price allocations related to FCB, which resulted in goodwill of $427.7 million, which is not-deductible for tax purposes. FCB's $19.6 million of merger-based success fees payable to third-party advisors and investment bankers were accounted for as part of the business combination and an assumed liability. Since the success fees payable by FCB were contingent upon the consummation of the merger, the expense was recognized as an "on the line" expense with no expense recognition in either the pre- or post-acquisition financials of FCB or Synovus. The following table reflects the consideration paid for FCB's net assets and the identifiable assets purchased and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of January 1, 2019. These fair value measurements are based on third-party and internal valuations.


9


(in thousands)
 
 
Consideration paid:
 
 
     Synovus common stock issued and reissued from treasury(1)
 
$
1,582,743

     Cash payments to FCB stockholders attributed to purchase price(2)
 
173

     Fair value of exchanged employee and director equity awards and FCB warrants attributed to purchase price(1)
 
43,362

       Total purchase price
 
$
1,626,278

 
 
 
Statement of Net Assets Acquired at Fair Value (Preliminary):
 

Assets
 

  Cash and cash equivalents
$
201,689

 
  Investment securities available for sale
2,301,001

 
  Loans
9,287,813

 
  Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
216,848

 
  Premises and equipment
44,890

 
  Core deposit intangible
68,200

 
  Other assets
266,607

 
     Total Assets
$
12,387,048

 
 
 
 
Liabilities


  Deposits
$
10,931,185

 
  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
29,139

 
  Long-term debt
153,236

 
  Other liabilities
74,895

 
     Total Liabilities
$
11,188,455

 
 
 
 
Fair value of net identifiable assets acquired
 
1,198,593

Preliminary goodwill
 
$
427,685

 
 
 
(1) Based on Synovus' closing stock price of $31.99 on December 31, 2018.
(2) $173 thousand of cash payment of $601 thousand attributed to purchase price with remaining allocated to compensation expense.

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

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

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

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

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

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

10



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

The following table presents consolidated financial information included in Synovus' unaudited consolidated statements of income from the Acquisition Date (January 1, 2019) through March 31, 2019 under the column "Actual from Acquisition Date." Synovus does not provide separate summary financial information of FCB from the Acquisition Date since it would be impracticable to do so as certain systems and processes were integrated during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The following table also presents unaudited pro forma information as if the acquisition occurred on January 1, 2018 under the "Pro Forma" column. The unaudited pro forma results include the estimated impact of amortizing and accreting certain estimated purchase accounting adjustments such as intangible assets as well as fair value adjustments to loans and deposits. Merger-related expenses that occurred at the effective time of the merger or subsequent to the merger are not reflected in the unaudited pro forma amounts. Cost savings are also not reflected in the unaudited pro forma amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had Synovus merged with FCB at the beginning of 2018.
(in thousands)
Actual from Acquisition Date (January 1, 2019) through March 31, 2019(1)
 
Pro Forma for Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Net interest income
$
397,175

 
$
374,982

Non-interest income
79,378

 
74,269

Net income available to common shareholders
117,036

 
152,362

 
 
 
 
1) Actual results for the first quarter of 2019 include pre-tax merger-related expense of $49.7 million.
In connection with the FCB acquisition, Synovus incurred merger-related expense totaling $49.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily related to employee compensation, severance, and professional services, including the payment of $21.8 million related to employment agreements of certain FCB executives. Merger-related expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is presented in the table below:
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Employee compensation, severance, and other employee benefit costs
$
32,988

Professional services
15,200

All other expense(1)
1,550

  Total merger-related expense
$
49,738

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

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

11

Table of Contents

Note 3 - Investment Securities Available for Sale
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair values of investment securities available for sale at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are summarized below.
 
 
March 31, 2019
(in thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
19,584

 
$

 
$

 
$
19,584

U.S. Government agency securities
 
83,982

 
1,299

 

 
85,281

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies
 
93,455

 
216

 
(1,734
)
 
91,937

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
 
4,612,253

 
42,710

 
(30,649
)
 
4,624,314

Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises
 
1,001,493

 
3,513

 
(17,236
)
 
987,770

Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
 
336,321

 
5,672

 
(168
)
 
341,825

Asset-backed securities
 
506,125

 
4,722

 
(542
)
 
510,305

State and municipal securities
 
2,108

 
1

 
(3
)
 
2,106

Corporate debt securities
 
144,442

 
811

 
(184
)
 
145,069

Total investment securities available for sale
 
$
6,799,763

 
$
58,944

 
$
(50,516
)
 
$
6,808,191

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
123,436

 
$

 
$
(1,359
)
 
$
122,077

U.S. Government agency securities
 
38,021

 
361

 

 
38,382

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies
 
100,060

 
172

 
(3,027
)
 
97,205

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
 
2,460,498

 
1,981

 
(63,829
)
 
2,398,650

Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises
 
1,215,406

 
2,997

 
(29,885
)
 
1,188,518

Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
 
131,492

 
613

 
(2,240
)
 
129,865

Corporate debt securities
 
17,000

 
150

 
(215
)
 
16,935

Total investment securities available for sale
 
$
4,085,913

 
$
6,274

 
$
(100,555
)
 
$
3,991,632

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, investment securities with a carrying value of $1.84 billion and $1.56 billion, respectively, were pledged to secure certain deposits and securities sold under repurchase agreements as required by law and contractual agreements.
Synovus has evaluated investment securities that are in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 for OTTI and does not consider any securities in an unrealized loss position to be other-than-temporarily impaired. If Synovus intended to sell a security in an unrealized loss position, the entire unrealized loss would be reflected in earnings. Synovus does not intend to sell investment securities in an unrealized loss position prior to the recovery of the unrealized loss, which may not be until maturity, and has the ability and intent to hold those securities for that period of time. Additionally, Synovus is not currently aware of any circumstances which will require it to sell any of the securities that are in an unrealized loss position prior to the respective securities' recovery of all such unrealized losses.
For investment securities that Synovus does not expect to sell, or it is not more likely than not it will be required to sell prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, the credit component of an OTTI would be recognized in earnings and the non-credit component would be recognized in OCI. Currently, unrealized losses on debt securities are attributable to increases in interest rates on comparable securities from the date of purchase. Synovus regularly evaluates its investment securities portfolio to ensure that there are no conditions that would indicate that unrealized losses represent OTTI. These factors include the length of time the security has been in a loss position, the extent that the fair value is below amortized cost, and the credit standing of the issuer.

12

Table of Contents

As of March 31, 2019, Synovus had 17 investment securities in a loss position for less than twelve months and 109 investment securities in a loss position for twelve months or longer.
Asset-backed securities and corporate bonds and other debt securities acquired as part of the FCB acquisition were generally underwritten in accordance with Synovus' credit extension standards, without relying on a bond issuer's guarantee in making the investment decision. These investments are investment grade and will continue to be monitored as part of Synovus' ongoing impairment analysis, but are expected to perform in accordance with their terms.
Gross unrealized losses on investment securities and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are presented below.
 
March 31, 2019
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
(in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies
$
638

 
$
(3
)
 
$
78,141

 
$
(1,731
)
 
$
78,779

 
$
(1,734
)
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

 

 
1,729,242

 
(30,649
)
 
1,729,242

 
(30,649
)
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises
512

 
(1
)
 
851,982

 
(17,235
)
 
852,494

 
(17,236
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

 

 
51,236

 
(168
)
 
51,236

 
(168
)
Asset-backed securities
103,969

 
(542
)
 

 

 
103,969

 
(542
)
State and municipal securities
1,082

 
(3
)
 

 

 
1,082

 
(3
)
Corporate debt securities
9,344

 
(165
)
 
1,981

 
(19
)
 
11,325

 
(184
)
Total
$
115,545

 
$
(714
)
 
$
2,712,582

 
$
(49,802
)
 
$
2,828,127

 
$
(50,516
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
(in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
U.S. Treasury securities
$
39,031

 
$
(118
)
 
$
63,570

 
$
(1,241
)
 
$
102,601

 
$
(1,359
)
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies
2,059

 
(2
)
 
79,736

 
(3,025
)
 
81,795

 
(3,027
)
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
130,432

 
(700
)
 
2,105,358

 
(63,129
)
 
2,235,790

 
(63,829
)
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises

 

 
964,732

 
(29,885
)
 
964,732

 
(29,885
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
58,998

 
(1,298
)
 
44,220

 
(942
)
 
103,218

 
(2,240
)
Corporate debt securities

 

 
1,785

 
(215
)
 
1,785

 
(215
)
Total
$
230,520

 
$
(2,118
)
 
$
3,259,401

 
$
(98,437
)
 
$
3,489,921

 
$
(100,555
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


13

Table of Contents

The amortized cost and fair value by contractual maturity of investment securities available for sale at March 31, 2019 are shown below. The expected life of mortgage-backed securities or CMOs may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. For purposes of the maturity table, mortgage-backed securities and CMOs, which are not due at a single maturity date, have been classified based on the final contractual maturity date.
 
Distribution of Maturities at March 31, 2019
(in thousands)
Within One
Year
 
1 to 5
Years
 
5 to 10
Years
 
More Than
10 Years
 
Total
Amortized Cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
19,584

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
19,584

U.S. Government agency securities
791

 
2,100

 
81,091

 

 
83,982

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies

 

 
17,976

 
75,479

 
93,455

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

 
48,381

 
462,977

 
4,100,895

 
4,612,253

Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises

 

 
25,958

 
975,535

 
1,001,493

Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

 
22,765

 
217,918

 
95,638

 
336,321

Asset-backed securities

 
4,495

 
328,637

 
172,993

 
506,125

State and municipal securities

 

 
1,085

 
1,023

 
2,108

Corporate debt securities

 
109,290

 
33,152

 
2,000

 
144,442

Total amortized cost
$
20,375

 
$
187,031

 
$
1,168,794

 
$
5,423,563

 
$
6,799,763

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
19,584

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
19,584

U.S. Government agency securities
800

 
2,124

 
82,357

 

 
85,281

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies

 

 
17,700

 
74,237

 
91,937

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

 
48,194

 
459,948

 
4,116,172

 
4,624,314

Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises

 

 
25,495

 
962,275

 
987,770

Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

 
22,878

 
221,506

 
97,441

 
341,825

Asset-backed securities

 
4,530

 
332,485

 
173,290

 
510,305

State and municipal securities

 

 
1,082

 
1,024

 
2,106

Corporate debt securities

 
109,353

 
33,735

 
1,981

 
145,069

Total fair value
$
20,384

 
$
187,079

 
$
1,174,308

 
$
5,426,420

 
$
6,808,191

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Proceeds from sales, gross gains, and gross losses on sales of securities available for sale for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are presented below. The specific identification method is used to reclassify gains and losses out of other comprehensive income at the time of sale.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale
 
$
1,188,239

 
$

Gross realized gains on sales
 
9,130

 

Gross realized losses on sales
 
(9,055
)
 

Investment securities gains, net
 
$
75

 
$

 
 
 
 
 


14

Table of Contents

Note 4 - Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

The following is a summary of current, accruing past due, and non-accrual originated (loans originated, renewed, refinanced, modified, or otherwise underwritten by Synovus) and acquired loans from business combinations by portfolio class as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Current, Accruing Past Due, and Non-accrual Originated Loans
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
(in thousands)
Current
 
Accruing 30-89 Days Past Due
 
Accruing 90 Days or Greater Past Due
 
Total Accruing Past Due
 
Non-accrual
 
Total
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural
$
7,563,911

 
$
17,395

 
$
641

 
$
18,036

 
$
79,305

 
$
7,661,252

 
Owner-occupied
5,356,411

 
7,699

 
329

 
8,028

 
11,239

 
5,375,678

 
Total commercial and industrial
12,920,322

 
25,094

 
970

 
26,064

 
90,544

 
13,036,930

 
Investment properties
5,712,709

 
7,510

 

 
7,510

 
726

 
5,720,945

 
1-4 family properties
654,046

 
2,031

 

 
2,031

 
1,722

 
657,799

 
Land and development
336,537

 
3,749

 
251

 
4,000

 
2,650

 
343,187

 
Total commercial real estate
6,703,292

 
13,290

 
251

 
13,541

 
5,098

 
6,721,931

 
Consumer mortgages
3,031,630

 
5,721

 

 
5,721

 
6,856

 
3,044,207

 
Home equity lines
1,521,292

 
5,333

 
345

 
5,678

 
13,756

 
1,540,726

 
Credit cards
248,066

 
2,307

 
2,389

 
4,696

 

 
252,762

 
Other consumer loans
2,002,539

 
16,374

 
531

 
16,905

 
4,249

 
2,023,693

 
Total consumer
6,803,527

 
29,735

 
3,265

 
33,000

 
24,861

 
6,861,388

 
Total loans
$
26,427,141

 
$
68,119

 
$
4,486

 
$
72,605

 
$
120,503

 
$
26,620,249

(1) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Current, Accruing Past Due, and Non-accrual Acquired Loans
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
(in thousands)
Current
 
Accruing 30-89 Days Past Due(2)
 
Accruing 90 Days or Greater Past Due(2)
 
Total Accruing Past Due(2)
 
Non-accrual(2)
 
ASC 310-30 Loans
 
Discount/Premium
 
Total
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural
$
702,511

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,200,453

 
$
(16,400
)
 
$
1,886,564

 
Owner-occupied
76,452

 

 

 

 

 
1,115,983

 
(7,432
)
 
1,185,003

 
Total commercial and industrial
778,963

 

 

 

 

 
2,316,436

 
(23,832
)
 
3,071,567

 
Investment properties
991,352

 

 

 

 

 
2,228,455

 
(23,972
)
 
3,195,835

 
1-4 family properties
44,363

 

 

 

 
180

 
63,960

 
(1,301
)
 
107,202

 
Land and development
127,204

 

 

 

 

 
113,053

 
(2,853
)
 
237,404

 
Total commercial real estate
1,162,919

 

 

 

 
180

 
2,405,468

 
(28,126
)
 
3,540,441

 
Consumer mortgages
127,577

 

 

 

 

 
2,319,288

 
(100,251
)
 
2,346,614

 
Home equity lines
68,395

 
75

 

 
75

 
7

 
5,377

 
(8,353
)
 
65,501

 
Other consumer loans
358

 

 

 

 

 
14,923

 
(1,497
)
 
13,784

 
Total consumer
196,330

 
75

 

 
75

 
7

 
2,339,588

 
(110,101
)
 
2,425,899

 
Total loans
$
2,138,212

 
$
75

 
$

 
$
75

 
$
187

 
$
7,061,492

 
$
(162,059
)
 
$
9,037,907

(3) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




15

Table of Contents

Current, Accruing Past Due, and Non-accrual Loans
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
Current
 
Accruing 30-89 Days Past Due
 
Accruing 90 Days or Greater Past Due
 
Total Accruing Past Due
 
Non-accrual
 
Total
 
Commercial, financial, and agricultural
$
7,372,301

 
$
7,988

 
$
114

 
$
8,102

 
$
69,295

 
$
7,449,698

 
Owner-occupied
5,317,023

 
5,433

 
81

 
5,514

 
8,971

 
5,331,508

 
Total commercial and industrial
12,689,324

 
13,421

 
195

 
13,616

 
78,266

 
12,781,206

 
Investment properties
5,557,224

 
1,312

 
34

 
1,346

 
2,381

 
5,560,951

 
1-4 family properties
674,648

 
2,745

 
96

 
2,841

 
2,381

 
679,870

 
Land and development
319,978

 
739

 

 
739

 
2,953

 
323,670

 
Total commercial real estate
6,551,850

 
4,796

 
130

 
4,926

 
7,715

 
6,564,491

 
Consumer mortgages
2,922,136

 
7,150

 

 
7,150

 
4,949

 
2,934,235

 
Home equity lines
1,496,562

 
7,092

 
28

 
7,120

 
12,114

 
1,515,796

 
Credit cards
252,832

 
3,066

 
2,347

 
5,413

 

 
258,245

 
Other consumer loans
1,894,352

 
17,604

 
1,098

 
18,702

 
3,689

 
1,916,743

 
Total consumer
6,565,882

 
34,912

 
3,473

 
38,385

 
20,752

 
6,625,019

 
Total loans
$
25,807,056

 
$
53,129

 
$
3,798

 
$
56,927

 
$
106,733

 
$
25,970,716

(4) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Total before net deferred fees and costs of $23.7 million.
(2) For purposes of this table, non-performing and past due loans exclude acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30.
(3) Represents $9.29 billion (at fair value) of loans acquired from FCB, net of payments since acquisition date.
(4) 
Total before net deferred fees and costs of $24.1 million.

Loans with carrying values of $11.59 billion and $8.40 billion were pledged as collateral for borrowings and capacity at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, to the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank.
The credit quality of the loan portfolio is reviewed and updated no less frequently than quarterly using the standard asset classification system utilized by the federal banking agencies. These classifications are divided into three groups – Not Criticized (Pass), Special Mention, and Classified or Adverse rating (Substandard, Doubtful, and Loss) and are defined as follows:
Pass - loans which are well protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor (or guarantors, if any) or by the fair value, less cost to acquire and sell in a timely manner, of any underlying collateral.
Special Mention - loans which have potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. These loans are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant an adverse classification.
Substandard - loans which are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Loans with this classification are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful - loans which have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified as Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable on the basis of currently known facts, conditions, and values.
Loss - loans which are considered by management to be uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance on the institution's books as an asset, without establishment of a specific valuation allowance or charge-off, is not warranted. Synovus fully reserves for any loans rated as Loss.
In the following tables, consumer loans are generally assigned a risk grade similar to the classifications described above; however, upon reaching 90 days and 120 days past due, they are generally downgraded to Substandard and Loss, respectively, in accordance with the FFIEC Retail Credit Classification Policy. Additionally, in accordance with Interagency Supervisory Guidance, the risk grade classifications of consumer loans (consumer mortgages and home equity lines) secured by junior liens on 1-4 family residential properties also consider available information on the payment status of any associated senior liens with other financial institutions.




16

Table of Contents


Originated Loan Portfolio Credit Exposure by Risk Grade
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
(in thousands)
Pass
 
Special
Mention
 
Substandard(1)
 
Doubtful(2)
 
Loss(3)
 
Total
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural
$
7,409,047

 
$
114,592

 
$
134,607

 
$
3,006

 
$

 
$
7,661,252

 
Owner-occupied
5,261,553

 
44,074

 
69,626

 
425

 

 
5,375,678

 
Total commercial and industrial
12,670,600

 
158,666

 
204,233

 
3,431

 

 
13,036,930

 
Investment properties
5,674,855

 
21,418

 
24,672

 

 

 
5,720,945

 
1-4 family properties
644,165

 
6,080

 
7,554

 

 

 
657,799

 
Land and development
320,071

 
13,057

 
10,059

 

 

 
343,187

 
Total commercial real estate
6,639,091

 
40,555

 
42,285

 

 

 
6,721,931

 
Consumer mortgages
3,035,289

 

 
8,821

 
97

 


3,044,207

 
Home equity lines
1,524,679

 

 
14,279

 
22

 
1,746


1,540,726

 
Credit cards
250,379

 

 
820

 

 
1,563

(4) 
252,762

 
Other consumer loans
2,019,300

 

 
4,393

 

 


2,023,693

 
Total consumer
6,829,647

 

 
28,313

 
119

 
3,309

 
6,861,388

 
Total loans
$
26,139,338

 
$
199,221

 
$
274,831

 
$
3,550

 
$
3,309

 
$
26,620,249

(5) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Loan Portfolio Credit Exposure by Risk Grade
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
(in thousands)
Pass
 
Special Mention
 
Substandard(1)
 
Doubtful
 
Loss
 
Total
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural
$
1,851,159

 
$
18,283

 
$
17,122

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,886,564

 
Owner-occupied
1,171,512

 
5,723

 
7,768

 

 

 
1,185,003

 
Total commercial and industrial
3,022,671

 
24,006

 
24,890

 

 

 
3,071,567

 
Investment properties
3,130,586

 
21,853

 
43,396

 

 

 
3,195,835

 
1-4 family properties
104,555

 
164

 
2,483

 

 

 
107,202

 
Land and development
237,274

 
130

 

 

 

 
237,404

 
Total commercial real estate
3,472,415

 
22,147

 
45,879

 

 

 
3,540,441

 
Consumer mortgages
2,341,245

 

 
5,369

 

 

 
2,346,614

 
Home equity lines
65,084

 

 
417

 

 

 
65,501

 
Other consumer loans
13,784

 

 

 

 

 
13,784

 
Total consumer
2,420,113

 

 
5,786

 

 

 
2,425,899

 
Total loans
$
8,915,199

 
$
46,153

 
$
76,555

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,037,907

(6) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

17

Table of Contents

Loan Portfolio Credit Exposure by Risk Grade
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
Pass
 
Special
Mention
 
Substandard(1)
 
Doubtful(2)
 
Loss(3)
 
Total
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural
$
7,190,517

 
$
118,188

 
$
140,218

 
$
775

 
$

 
$
7,449,698

 
Owner-occupied
5,212,473

 
55,038

 
63,572

 
425

 

 
5,331,508

 
Total commercial and industrial
12,402,990

 
173,226

 
203,790

 
1,200

 

 
12,781,206

 
Investment properties
5,497,344

 
40,516

 
23,091

 

 

 
5,560,951

 
1-4 family properties
663,692

 
6,424

 
9,754

 

 

 
679,870

 
Land and development
297,855

 
12,786

 
13,029

 

 

 
323,670

 
Total commercial real estate
6,458,891

 
59,726

 
45,874

 

 


6,564,491

 
Consumer mortgages
2,926,712

 

 
7,425

 
98

 


2,934,235

 
Home equity lines
1,501,316

 

 
13,130

 
174

 
1,176


1,515,796

 
Credit cards
255,904

 

 
858

 

 
1,483

(4) 
258,245

 
Other consumer loans
1,912,902

 

 
3,841

 

 


1,916,743

 
Total consumer
6,596,834

 

 
25,254

 
272

 
2,659

 
6,625,019

 
Total loans
$
25,458,715

 
$
232,952

 
$
274,918

 
$
1,472

 
$
2,659

 
$
25,970,716

(7) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes $214.3 million and $172.3 million of Substandard accruing loans at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
(2) The loans within this risk grade are on non-accrual status and generally have an allowance for loan losses equal to 50% of the loan amount.
(3) The loans within this risk grade are on non-accrual status and have an allowance for loan losses equal to the full loan amount.
(4) Represent amounts that were 120 days past due. These credits are downgraded to the Loss category with an allowance for loan losses equal to the full loan amount and are generally charged off upon reaching 181 days past due in accordance with the FFIEC Retail Credit Classification Policy.
(5) Total before net deferred fees and costs of $23.7 million.
(6) Represents $9.29 billion (at fair value) of loans acquired from FCB, net of payments since acquisition date.
(7) Total before net deferred fees and costs of $24.1 million.































18

Table of Contents




Acquired loans
As discussed in "Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 - Acquisitions", on January 1, 2019, Synovus acquired loans from FCB with fair values of $9.29 billion net of total discount of $169.4 million.
At the Acquisition Date, the contractual required payments receivable on the purchased loans accounted for under ASC 310-20 totaled $2.45 billion, with a corresponding fair value of $2.15 billion. The estimated cash flows not expected to be collected at the Acquisition Date were $39.5 million.
Information about the acquired FCB loan portfolio accounted for under ASC 310-30 as of the Acquisition Date is in the following table.
(dollars in thousands)
ASC 310-30 Loans
Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition
$
8,377,942

Non-accretable difference (expected losses and foregone interest)
(163,147
)
    Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition
8,214,795

Accretable yield
(1,066,689
)
    Basis in ASC 310-30 loans at acquisition
$
7,148,106

 
 

The following table is a summary of changes in the accretable difference for all loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance
$

Additions
1,066,689

Transfers from non-accretable difference to accretable yield

Accretion
(88,928
)
Changes in expected cash flows not affecting non-accretable differences(1)

Ending balance
$
977,761

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



19

Table of Contents

The following tables detail the changes in the allowance for loan losses by loan segment for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.
Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans

 
As Of and For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
(in thousands)
Commercial & Industrial
 
Commercial Real Estate
 
Consumer
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
133,123

 
$
68,796

 
$
48,636

 
$
250,555

Charge-offs
(13,039
)
 
(1,233
)
 
(6,427
)
 
(20,699
)
Recoveries
1,990

 
344

 
1,277

 
3,611

Provision for loan losses
13,565

 
1,102

 
8,902

 
23,569

Ending balance(1)
$
135,639

 
$
69,009

 
$
52,388

 
$
257,036

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
17,948

 
$
1,610

 
$
763

 
$
20,321

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
$
117,691

 
$
67,399

 
$
51,625

 
$
236,715

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: total loans(2)
$
16,108,497

 
$
10,262,372

 
$
9,287,287

 
$
35,658,156

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment    
$
135,825

 
$
28,107

 
$
28,347

 
$
192,279

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment(3)
$
13,680,451

 
$
7,854,004

 
$
7,018,033

 
$
28,552,488

Ending balance: acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30(4)    
$
2,292,221

 
$
2,380,261

 
$
2,240,907

 
$
6,913,389

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As Of and For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Commercial & Industrial
 
Commercial Real Estate
 
Consumer
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
126,803

 
$
74,998

 
$
47,467

 
$
249,268

Charge-offs
(8,015
)
 
(1,911
)
 
(4,455
)
 
(14,381
)
Recoveries
3,112

 
5,723

 
1,266

 
10,101

Provision for loan losses
12,845

 
(4,819
)
 
4,750

 
12,776

Ending balance(1)
$
134,745

 
$
73,991

 
$
49,028

 
$
257,764

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
14,405

 
$
3,740

 
$
797

 
$
18,942

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
$
120,340

 
$
70,251

 
$
48,231

 
$
238,822

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: total loans(1)(5)
$
12,101,917

 
$
6,835,727

 
$
5,969,354

 
$
24,906,998

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
112,823

 
$
49,221

 
$
29,608

 
$
191,652

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
$
11,989,094

 
$
6,786,506

 
$
5,939,746

 
$
24,715,346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, there was no allowance for loan losses for acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30.
(2) Total before net deferred fees and costs of $23.7 million.
(3) These loans are presented net of the remaining fair value discount of $14.0 million at March 31. 2019.
(4) These loans are presented net of the remaining fair value discount of $148.1 million at March 31, 2019.
(5) Total before net deferred fees and costs of $24.0 million.












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Table of Contents

Below is a detailed summary of impaired loans (including TDRs) by class as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, impaired loans of $80.1 million and $51.3 million, respectively, were on non-accrual status.
Impaired Loans (including accruing TDRs)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
Recorded Investment
 
 
 
Recorded Investment
 
(in thousands)
Unpaid Principal Balance
Without an ALL
With an ALL
Related Allowance
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
Without an ALL
With an ALL
Related Allowance
Commercial, financial and agricultural
$
98,263

$
32,007

$
53,145

$
15,063

 
$
65,150

$
22,298

$
34,222

$
7,133

Owner-occupied
53,433

124

50,549

2,885

 
49,588


48,902

3,074

Total commercial and industrial
151,696

32,131

103,694

17,948

 
114,738

22,298

83,124

10,207

Investment properties
13,019


13,019

894

 
13,916


13,916

1,523

1-4 family properties
5,044


5,044

144

 
5,586


5,586

131

Land and development
12,632

265

9,779

572

 
16,283

265

13,431

944

Total commercial real estate
30,695

265

27,842

1,610

 
35,785

265

32,933

2,598

Consumer mortgages
19,751


19,751

280

 
19,506


19,506

343

Home equity lines
3,389


3,339

307

 
3,264


3,235

224

Other consumer loans
5,257


5,257

176

 
5,565


5,565

177

Total consumer
28,397


28,347

763

 
28,335


28,306

744

Total loans
$
210,788

$
32,396

$
159,883

$
20,321

 
$
178,858

$
22,563

$
144,363

$
13,549

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized(1)
 
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized(1)
Commercial, financial and agricultural
$
76,353

$
554

 
$
75,880

$
399

Owner-occupied
50,038

526

 
37,715

370

Total commercial and industrial
126,391

1,080

 
113,595

769

Investment properties
13,040

142

 
22,769

198

1-4 family properties
5,509

131

 
11,715

216

Land and development
11,062

35

 
18,170

76

Total commercial real estate
29,611

308

 
52,654

490

Consumer mortgages
20,037

213

 
19,986

195

Home equity lines
3,302

35

 
6,505

45

Other consumer loans
5,463

78

 
5,391

72

Total consumer
28,802

326

 
31,882

312

 Total loans
$
184,804

$
1,714

 
$
198,131

$
1,571

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








21

Table of Contents

Information about Synovus' TDRs is presented in the following tables. Modifications of loans that are accounted for within a pool under ASC Topic 310-30 are excluded as TDRs. Accordingly, such modifications do not result in the removal of those loans from the pool, even if the modification of those loans would otherwise be considered a TDR. As a result, all such acquired loans that would otherwise meet the criteria for classification as a TDR are excluded from the tables below. The following tables represent, by concession type, the post-modification balance for loans modified or renewed during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 that were reported as accruing or non-accruing TDRs.
TDRs by Concession Type
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
(in thousands, except contract data)
Number of Contracts
 
Below Market Interest Rate
 
Other Concessions(1)
 
Total
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural
13

 
$
1,783

 
$
899

 
$
2,682

 
Owner-occupied
2

 
949

 

 
949

 
Total commercial and industrial
15

 
2,732

 
899

 
3,631

 
Investment properties
1

 
482

 

 
482

 
1-4 family properties
6

 
793

 

 
793

 
Total commercial real estate
7

 
1,275

 

 
1,275

 
Consumer mortgages
4

 
128

 
1,214

 
1,342

 
Home equity lines
1

 

 
105

 
105

 
Other consumer loans
18

 
108

 
1,046

 
1,154

 
Total consumer
23

 
236

 
2,365

 
2,601

 
Total TDRs
45

 
$
4,243

 
$
3,264

 
$
7,507

(2) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands, except contract data)
Number of Contracts
 
Below Market Interest Rate
 
Other Concessions(1)
 
Total
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural
9

 
$

 
$
989

 
$
989

 
Owner-occupied
2

 
2,705

 
93

 
2,798

 
Total commercial and industrial
11

 
2,705

 
1,082

 
3,787

 
Investment properties
1

 

 
1,959

 
1,959

 
1-4 family properties
6

 
963

 

 
963

 
Total commercial real estate
7

 
963

 
1,959

 
2,922

 
Consumer mortgages
7

 
1,733

 

 
1,733

 
Other consumer loans
14

 
537

 
508

 
1,045

 
Total consumer
21

 
2,270

 
508

 
2,778

 
Total TDRs
39

 
$
5,938

 
$
3,549

 
$
9,487

(3) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) Other concessions generally include term extensions, interest only payments for a period of time, or principal forgiveness, but there was no principal forgiveness for each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.
(2) No net charge-offs were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2019 upon restructuring of these loans.
(3) No net charge-offs were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2018 upon restructuring of these loans.
For each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no defaults on accruing TDRs restructured during the previous twelve months (defaults are defined as the earlier of the TDR being placed on non-accrual status or reaching 90 days past due with respect to principal and/or interest payments).
If, at the time a loan was designated as a TDR, the loan was not already impaired, the measurement of impairment that resulted from the TDR designation closely approximates the reserve derived through specific loan measurement of impairment in accordance with ASC 310-10-35. Generally, the change in the allowance for loan losses resulting from such TDR designation is not significant. At March 31, 2019, the allowance for loan losses allocated to accruing TDRs totaling $112.2 million was $4.7 million compared to accruing TDRs of $115.6 million with an allocated allowance for loan losses of $6.1 million at December 31, 2018. Non-accrual, non-homogeneous loans (commercial-type impaired loans greater than $1 million) that are designated as TDRs are individually measured for the amount of impairment, if any, both before and after the TDR designation. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were no commitments to lend a material amount of additional funds to any customer whose loan was classified as a troubled debt restructuring.

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Table of Contents

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Changes to the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are provided in the following table. There were no changes to the carrying amount of goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2018.
(in thousands)
 
Synovus Bank Reporting Unit
 
Trust Services Reporting Unit
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018
 
$
32,884

 
$
24,431

 
$
57,315

Goodwill acquired during the year (preliminary allocation)
 
427,685

 

 
427,685

Balance as of March 31, 2019
 
$
460,569

 
$
24,431

 
$
485,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Effective January 1, 2019, Synovus acquired FCB. In connection with the acquisition, Synovus has recorded $427.7 million of goodwill based on preliminary fair value estimates of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combination as of March 31, 2019. Additionally, Synovus recorded a $68.2 million core deposit intangible asset on the Acquisition Date. See "Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 - Acquisitions" in this Report for additional information on the FCB acquisition.
As of June 30, 2018, Synovus completed its annual goodwill impairment evaluation applying ASC 350-20-35-3A, Goodwill Subsequent Measurement - Qualitative Assessment Approach and concluded that goodwill was not impaired. No events or circumstances have occurred since that date to warrant a subsequent interim evaluation.
The following table shows the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, which primarily consist of core deposit intangible assets acquired in the FCB acquisition. Core deposit intangible assets were $65.1 million at March 31, 2019. The CDI is being amortized over its estimated useful life of approximately ten years utilizing an accelerated method. Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $3.4 million and $292 thousand, respectively.
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Other intangible assets, gross carrying amount
 
$
81,128

 
$
13,140

Other intangible assets, adjustment
 

 
(212
)
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization
 
(6,445
)
 
(3,053
)
Other intangible assets, net carrying amount
 
$
74,683

 
$
9,875

 
 
 
 
 

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

Stock issued for acquisition of FCB
On January 1, 2019, as part of the FCB acquisition, Synovus issued 22.0 million shares of common stock and reissued 27.4 million shares of treasury stock and incurred $417 thousand in costs related to the issuance. FCB stockholders received 1.055 shares of Synovus common stock for each outstanding share of FCB common stock. Also, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, outstanding stock options, non-vested restricted share units, and warrants were converted into options, restricted share units, and warrants, respectively, to purchase and receive Synovus common stock. The total value of the acquisition consideration paid by Synovus was approximately $1.6 billion. See "Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 - Acquisitions" in this Report for more information on the FCB acquisition.
Repurchases of Common Stock
On January 15, 2019, Synovus announced a share repurchase program of up to $400 million. As of March 31, 2019, Synovus had repurchased under this program a total of $320.0 million, or 8.5 million shares of its common stock, at an average price of $37.71 per share.
The following tables illustrate activity within the balances in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

23

Table of Contents

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Net of Income Taxes)
(in thousands)
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges(1)
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale(1)
 
Post-retirement unfunded health benefit
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018
$
(12,137
)
 
$
(83,179
)
 
$
896

 
$
(94,420
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 
76,164

 

 
76,164

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 
(56
)
 
(30
)
 
(86
)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

 
76,108

 
(30
)
 
76,078

Balance as of March 31, 2019
$
(12,137
)
 
$
(7,071
)
 
$
866

 
$
(18,342
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2017
$
(12,137
)
 
$
(43,470
)
 
$
853

 
$
(54,754
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 
(45,531
)
 

 
(45,531
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 
(21
)
 
(21
)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

 
(45,531
)
 
(21
)
 
(45,552
)
Reclassification from adoption of ASU 2018-02

 
(7,763
)
 
175

 
(7,588
)
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2016-01

 
117

 

 
117

Balance as of March 31, 2018
$
(12,137
)
 
$
(96,647
)
 
$
1,007

 
$
(107,777
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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



24

Table of Contents

Note 7 - Fair Value Accounting
See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements of Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K for a description of the fair value hierarchy and valuation methodologies for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables present all financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
March 31, 2019
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies
$

 
$
241

 
$

 
$
241

Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises    

 
1,217

 

 
1,217

Other investments
200

 
82

 

 
282

Total trading securities
$
200

 
$
1,540

 
$

 
$
1,740

Mortgage loans held for sale

 
55,970

 

 
55,970

Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
19,584

 
$

 
$

 
$
19,584

U.S. Government agency securities

 
85,281

 

 
85,281

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies

 
91,937

 

 
91,937

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

 
4,624,314

 

 
4,624,314

Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises

 
987,770

 

 
987,770

Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

 
341,825

 

 
341,825

State and municipal securities

 
2,106

 

 
2,106

Asset-backed securities

 
510,305

 

 
510,305

 Corporate debt securities    

 
143,088

 
1,981

 
145,069

Total investment securities available for sale
$
19,584

 
$
6,786,626

 
$
1,981

 
$
6,808,191

Private equity investments

 

 
11,886

 
11,886

Mutual funds
16,147

 

 

 
16,147

Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts
12,579

 

 

 
12,579

GGL/SBA loans servicing asset

 

 
3,447

 
3,447

Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
$

 
$
74,114

 
$

 
$
74,114

Mortgage derivatives(1)

 
1,637

 

 
1,637

Total derivative assets
$

 
$
75,751

 
$

 
$
75,751

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnout liability(2)

 

 
14,353

 
14,353

Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
$

 
$
22,755

 
$

 
22,755

Mortgage derivatives(1)

 
806

 

 
806

Visa derivative

 

 
1,366

 
1,366

Total derivative liabilities
$

 
$
23,561

 
$
1,366

 
$
24,927

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


25

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$

 
$
44

 
$

 
$
44

State and municipal securities

 
1,064

 

 
1,064

 Other investments
1,128

 
894

 

 
2,022

Total trading securities
$
1,128

 
$
2,002

 
$

 
$
3,130

Mortgage loans held for sale

 
37,129

 

 
37,129

Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     U.S. Treasury securities
$
122,077

 
$

 
$

 
$
122,077

U.S. Government agency securities

 
38,382

 

 
38,382

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies

 
97,205

 

 
97,205

Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

 
2,398,650

 

 
2,398,650

Collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises

 
1,188,518

 

 
1,188,518

Commercial mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

 
129,865

 

 
129,865

 Corporate debt securities    

 
15,150

 
1,785

 
16,935

Total investment securities available for sale
$
122,077

 
$
3,867,770

 
$
1,785

 
$
3,991,632

Private equity investments

 

 
11,028

 
11,028

Mutual funds
3,168

 

 

 
3,168

Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts
12,844

 

 

 
12,844

GGL/SBA loans servicing asset

 

 
3,729

 
3,729

Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
$

 
$
18,388

 
$

 
$
18,388

Mortgage derivatives(1)

 
944

 

 
944

Total derivative assets
$

 
$
19,332

 
$

 
$
19,332

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnout liability(2) 

 

 
14,353

 
14,353

Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
$

 
$
15,716

 
$

 
$
15,716

Mortgage derivatives(1)

 
819

 

 
819

Visa derivative

 

 
1,673

 
1,673

Total derivative liabilities
$

 
$
16,535

 
$
1,673

 
$
18,208

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) Mortgage derivatives consist of customer interest rate lock commitments that relate to the potential origination of mortgage loans, which would be classified as held for sale and forward loan sales commitments with third-party investors.
(2) Earnout liability consists of contingent consideration obligation related to the Global One acquisition.

26

Table of Contents

Fair Value Option
Synovus has elected the fair value option for mortgage loans held for sale primarily to ease the operational burden required to maintain hedge accounting for these loans. Synovus is still able to achieve effective economic hedges on mortgage loans held for sale without the time and expense needed to manage a hedge accounting program.
The following table summarizes the difference between the fair value and the unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value and the changes in fair value of these loans. An immaterial portion of these changes in fair value was attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk.
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
 
(in thousands)
As of March 31, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
Fair value
$
55,970

 
$
37,129

Unpaid principal balance
54,333

 
35,848

Fair value less aggregate unpaid principal balance
$
1,637

 
$
1,281

 
 
 
 

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

 
$
115

 
 
 
 


Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

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

27

Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
(in thousands)
Investment Securities Available for Sale
 
Private Equity Investments
 
GGL / SBA
Loans Servicing Asset
 
Earnout
Liability
 
Visa Derivative
Beginning balance, January 1, 2019
$
1,785

 
$
11,028

 
$
3,729

 
$
(14,353
)
 
$
(1,673
)
Total gains (losses) realized/unrealized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings

 
858

 
(488
)
 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) included in OCI
196

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

 
206

 

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 
307

Ending balance, March 31, 2019
$
1,981

 
$
11,886

 
$
3,447

 
$
(14,353
)
 
$
(1,366
)
Total net gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to assets/liabilities still held at March 31, 2019    
$

 
$
858

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Investment Securities Available for Sale
 
Private Equity Investments
 
GGL / SBA
Loans Servicing Asset
 
Earnout
Liability
 
Visa Derivative
Beginning balance, January 1, 2018
$
1,935

 
$
15,771

 
$
4,101

 
$
(11,348
)
 
$
(4,330
)
Total (losses) gains realized/unrealized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings

 
(3,056
)
 
(422
)
 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) included in OCI
(83
)
 

 

 

 

Additions

 

 
292

 

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 
356

Ending balance, March 31, 2018
$
1,852

 
$
12,715

 
$
3,971

 
$
(11,348
)
 
$
(3,974
)
Total net losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets/liabilities still held at March 31, 2018
$

 
$
(3,056
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

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

28

Table of Contents



March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Impaired loans(1)
$

 
$

 
$
1,578

 
$
1,578

 
$

 
$

 
$
21,742

 
$
21,742

Other loans held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,494

 
1,494

Other real estate

 

 
159

 
159

 

 

 
3,827

 
3,827

Other assets held for sale

 

 
517

 
517

 

 

 
1,104

 
1,104

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) Collateral-dependent impaired loans that were written down to fair value during the period.
    Other real estate (ORE) properties are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of ORE at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $11.3 million and $6.2 million, respectively.
The following table presents fair value adjustments recognized in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 for assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis still held at period-end.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2019
 
2018
Impaired loans(1)
$
2,625

 
$
720

Other loans held for sale

 
1,512

Other real estate
18

 
731

Other assets held for sale
96

 
107

 
 
 
 

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

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March 31, 2019
(in thousands)
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents
$
1,265,925

 
$
1,265,925

 
$
1,265,925

 
$

 
$

Trading securities
1,740

 
1,740

 
200

 
1,540

 

Mortgage loans held for sale
55,970

 
55,970

 

 
55,970

 

Other loans held for sale
12

 
12

 

 

 
12

Investment securities available for sale
6,808,191

 
6,808,191

 
19,584

 
6,786,626

 
1,981

Private equity investments
11,886

 
11,886

 

 

 
11,886

Mutual funds
16,147

 
16,147

 
16,147

 

 

Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts
12,579

 
12,579

 
12,579

 

 

Loans, net
35,377,465

 
35,086,637

 

 

 
35,086,637

GGL/SBA loans servicing asset
3,447

 
3,447

 

 

 
3,447

Derivative assets
75,751

 
75,751

 

 
75,751

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 
 
Non-interest-bearing deposits
$
9,144,315

 
$
9,144,315

 
$

 
$
9,144,315

 
$

Non-time interest-bearing deposits
18,345,758

 
18,345,758

 

 
18,345,758

 

Time deposits
10,585,117

 
10,592,682

 

 
10,592,682

 

     Total deposits
$
38,075,190

 
$
38,082,755

 
$

 
$
38,082,755

 
$

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
314,383

 
314,383

 
314,383

 

 

Other short-term borrowings
853,000

 
853,000

 

 
853,000

 

Long-term debt
2,106,037

 
2,119,630

 

 
2,119,630

 

Earnout liability
14,353

 
14,353

 

 

 
14,353

Derivative liabilities
24,927

 
24,927

 

 
23,561

 
1,366

 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents
$
1,143,564

 
$
1,143,564

 
$
1,143,564

 
$

 
$

Trading securities
3,130

 
3,130

 
1,128

 
2,002

 

Mortgage loans held for sale
37,129

 
37,129

 

 
37,129

 

Other loans for sale
1,506

 
1,506

 

 

 
1,506

Investment securities available for sale
3,991,632

 
3,991,632

 
122,077

 
3,867,770

 
1,785

Private equity investments
11,028

 
11,028

 

 

 
11,028

Mutual funds
3,168

 
3,168

 
3,168

 

 

Mutual funds held in rabbi trusts
12,844

 
12,844

 
12,844

 

 

Loans, net
25,696,018

 
25,438,890

 

 

 
25,438,890

GGL/SBA loans servicing asset
3,729

 
3,729

 

 

 
3,729

Derivative assets
19,332

 
19,332

 

 
19,332

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest-bearing deposits
$
7,650,967

 
$
7,650,967

 
$

 
$
7,650,967

 
$

Non-time interest-bearing deposits
14,065,959

 
14,065,959

 

 
14,065,959

 

Time deposits
5,003,396

 
4,989,570

 

 
4,989,570

 

     Total deposits
$
26,720,322

 
$
26,706,496

 
$

 
$
26,706,496

 
$

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
237,692

 
237,692

 
237,692

 

 

Other short-term borrowings
650,000

 
650,000

 

 
650,000

 

Long-term debt
1,657,157

 
1,649,642

 

 
1,649,642

 

Earnout liability
14,353

 
14,353

 

 

 
14,353

Derivative liabilities
18,208

 
18,208

 

 
16,535

 
1,673

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Note 8 - Derivative Instruments
As part of its overall interest rate risk management activities, Synovus utilizes derivative instruments to manage its exposure to various types of interest rate risk. These derivative instruments generally consist of interest rate swaps, interest rate lock commitments made to prospective mortgage loan customers, and commitments to sell fixed-rate mortgage loans. Interest rate lock commitments represent derivative instruments since it is intended that such loans will be sold. Synovus may also utilize interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risks primarily arising from its core banking activities. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Synovus had no outstanding interest rate swap contracts utilized to manage interest rate risk related to core banking activities. Synovus is party to master netting arrangements with its dealer counterparties; however, Synovus does not offset assets and liabilities under these arrangements for financial statement presentation purposes.
Counterparty Credit Risk and Collateral
Entering into derivative contracts potentially exposes Synovus to the risk of counterparties’ failure to fulfill their legal obligations, including, but not limited to, potential amounts due or payable under each derivative contract. Notional principal amounts are often used to express the volume of these transactions, but the amounts potentially subject to credit risk are much smaller. Synovus assesses the credit risk of its dealer counterparties by regularly monitoring publicly available credit rating information, evaluating other market indicators, and periodically reviewing detailed financials. Dealer collateral requirements are determined via risk-based policies and procedures and in accordance with existing agreements. Synovus seeks to minimize dealer credit risk by dealing with highly rated counterparties and by obtaining collateral for exposures above certain predetermined limits. Management closely monitors credit conditions within the customer swap portfolio, which management deems to be of higher risk than dealer counterparties. Collateral is secured at origination and credit-related fair value adjustments are recorded against the asset value of the derivative as deemed necessary based upon an analysis, which includes consideration of the current asset value of the swap, customer credit rating, collateral value, and customer standing with regards to its swap contractual obligations and other related matters. Such asset values fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates regardless of changes in notional amounts and changes in customer specific risk.
Collateral Requirements
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivative transactions have collateral requirements, both at the inception of the trade and as the value of each derivative position changes. As of March 31, 2019, collateral totaling $64.2 million was pledged to the derivative counterparties to comply with collateral requirements. For derivatives cleared through central clearing houses, the variation margin payments made are legally characterized as settlements of the derivatives. As a result, these variation margin payments are netted against the fair value of the respective derivative contracts in the balance sheet and related disclosures. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Synovus had a variation margin of $51.9 million and $3.1 million respectively, each reducing the derivative liability.
The following table reflects the notional amount and fair value of derivative instruments included on the consolidated balance sheets including derivatives acquired from FCB.

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March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
Fair Value
(in thousands)
Notional Amount
 
Derivative Assets (1)
 
Derivative Liabilities (2)
 
Notional Amount
 
Derivative Assets (1)
 
Derivative Liabilities (2)
Derivatives not designated
as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts(3)
$
5,403,031

 
$
74,114

 
$
22,755

 
$
1,840,288

 
18,388

 
$
15,716

Mortgage derivatives - interest rate lock commitments
95,053

 
1,637

 

 
52,420

 
944

 

Mortgage derivatives - forward commitments to sell fixed-rate mortgage loans
93,500

 

 
806

 
65,500

 

 
819

Visa derivative

 

 
1,366

 

 

 
1,673

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments    
 
 
$
75,751

 
$
24,927

 
 
 
$
19,332

 
$
18,208

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) Derivative assets are recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
(2) Derivative liabilities are recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
(3) Includes interest rate contracts for customer swaps and offsetting positions, net of variation margin payments.
The pre-tax effect of changes in fair value from derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is presented below.
 
 
 
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Consolidated Statements of Income
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
Location in Consolidated Statements of Income
 
2019
 
2018
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts(1)    
 
Other non-interest income
 
$
(130
)
 
$
7

Mortgage derivatives - interest rate lock commitments
 
Mortgage banking income
 
693

 
735

Mortgage derivatives - forward commitments to sell fixed-rate mortgage loans
 
Mortgage banking income
 
13

 
192

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
$
576

 
$
934

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

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Note 9 - Net Income Per Common Share
The following table displays a reconciliation of the information used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)
2019
 
2018
Basic Net Income Per Common Share:
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
117,036

 
$
100,607

Weighted average common shares outstanding
160,927

 
118,666

Net income per common share, basic
$
0.73

 
$
0.85

Diluted Net Income Per Common Share:
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
117,036

 
$
100,607

Weighted average common shares outstanding
160,927

 
118,666

Effect of dilutive outstanding equity-based awards, warrants, and earnout payments
1,833

 
655

Weighted average diluted common shares
162,760

 
119,321

Net income per common share, diluted
$
0.72

 
$
0.84

 
 
 
 

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, restricted share units, and warrants is reflected in diluted net income per common share, unless the impact is anti-dilutive, by application of the treasury stock method.
As of March 31, 2019, there were 40 thousand of potentially dilutive shares related to stock options to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding during 2019, and as of March 31, 2018, there were 2.2 million potentially dilutive shares related to the Warrant to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding during 2018. Potentially dilutive shares are not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

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Note 10 - Share-based Compensation
As a result of the FCB acquisition on January 1, 2019, Synovus assumed 3.2 million outstanding FCB stock option awards and 136 thousand outstanding FCB restricted stock unit awards. Per the Merger Agreement, each stock option and restricted share unit outstanding on the Acquisition Date was assumed and converted into a stock option or restricted stock unit award relating to shares of Synovus common stock, with the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such award prior to the acquisition. The converted options and restricted share units had a fair value of $41.5 million on the Acquisition Date, of which $4.2 million was allocated to compensation expense and the remaining to purchase price. The estimated fair value of the converted restricted share units was based on Synovus' closing stock price on December 31, 2018, and the estimated fair value of the converted stock options was determined using a Hull-White model in a binomial lattice option pricing framework. Additionally, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, certain outstanding FCB non-vested equity awards with a fair value of $7.4 million on the Acquisition Date, accelerated vesting and converted automatically into the right to receive merger consideration at the merger exchange ratio of 1.055, or an equivalent amount in cash, of which $3.8 million was allocated to merger-related compensation expense and the remaining to purchase price.
The following tables summarize the status of Synovus' stock options, restricted share units, market restricted share units, and performance share units as of March 31, 2019, and activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
 
 
Stock Options
(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Quantity
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding at January 1, 2019
 
640

 
$
16.93

Assumed
 
3,230

 
23.22

Exercised
 
(361
)
 
19.36

Outstanding at March 31, 2019
 
3,509

 
$
22.47

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Restricted Share
 Units
 
Market Restricted Share Units
 
Performance Share
 Units
(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Quantity
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
 
Quantity
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
 
Quantity
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at January 1, 2019
 
526

 
$
41.18

 
144

 
$
41.91

 
248

 
$
38.29

Granted
 
438

 
36.60

 
151

 
36.53

 
140

 
37.34

Assumed
 
136

 
31.99

 

 

 

 

Quantity change by TSR factor
 

 

 
(18
)
 
38.11

 

 

Dividend equivalents granted
 
3

 
36.60

 

 

 
8

 
37.34

Vested
 
(236
)
 
37.09

 
(55
)
 
38.11

 
(93
)
 
26.35

Forfeited
 
(6
)
 
41.18

 

 

 

 

Non-vested at March 31, 2019
 
861

 
$
38.50

 
222

 
$
39.50

 
303

 
$
41.50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total share-based compensation expense recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is presented in the following table by its classification within total non-interest expense.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
Salaries and other personnel expense
 
$
6,312

 
$
3,773

Merger-related expense
 
3,806

 

Other operating expenses
 
126

 
182

  Total share-based compensation expense included in non-interest expense
 
$
10,244

 
$
3,955

 
 
 
 
 



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Note 11 - Leases

Synovus’ leasing activities are primarily comprised of real estate leases used for retail branch locations and office space for core administrative and operating activities of Synovus’ banking and financial services business, and to a significantly lesser extent, certain equipment. The majority of these leases provide for fixed lease payments, including periodic escalators which are fixed at lease inception, however, a number of leases provide for variable lease payments where periodic increases in payment amounts are indexed to a consumer price index (CPI). Many leases include one or more options to renew which generally range from one to five years. Optional extension periods which are reasonably certain to be exercised in the future were included in the measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities. Synovus’ leasing arrangements do not contain any material residual value guarantees, material restrictive covenants, or material end of lease purchase options.
The following table presents the lease balances within the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2019:
Leases
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Classification
 
March 31, 2019
Assets
 
 
 
Operating
Other Assets
 
$
378,903

Finance
Premises and Equipment, net(1)
 
3,457

Total leased assets
 
 
$
382,360

Liabilities
 
 
 
Operating
Other Liabilities
 
385,734

Finance
Other Liabilities
 
3,229

Total lease liabilities
 
 
$
388,963

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

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the components of lease expense were as follows:
Lease Cost
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Classification
 
March 31, 2019
Operating lease cost, net(1)
Net occupancy and equipment expense
 
$
8,171

Finance lease cost
 
 
 
Amortization of leased assets
Net occupancy and equipment expense
 
224

Interest on lease liabilities
Net occupancy and equipment expense
 
20

Sublease income(2)
Net occupancy and equipment expense
 
(166
)
Net lease cost
 
 
$
8,249

 
 
 
 
(1) Excludes variable and short-term lease costs, which are not material.
(2) Sublease income excludes rental income from owned properties of $594 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019 which is also included in net occupancy and equipment expenses.

The following table presents the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rates related to Synovus' leases as of March 31, 2019:
Lease Term and Discount Rate
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
 
Weighted-average discount rate (percentage)
Operating leases
21.6
 
3.55
%
Finance leases
4.4
 
2.45

 
 
 
 






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Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's leasing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are as follows:
Other Information
 
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
(7,461
)
Operating cash flows from finance leases
(20
)
Financing cash flows from finance leases
(178
)
 
 


The following table presents the maturity of the Company’s lease liabilities as of March 31, 2019:
Maturity of Lease Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Operating Leases
 
Finance Leases
 
Total
2019
$
22,242

 
$
692

 
$
22,934

2020
29,454

 
871

 
30,325

2021
28,000

 
839

 
28,839

2022
27,280

 
465

 
27,745

2023
25,704

 
180

 
25,884

After 2023
433,753

 
343

 
434,096

Total lease payments
$
566,433

 
$
3,390

 
$
569,823

Less: Imputed interest
180,699

 
161

 
180,860

Present value of lease liabilities
$
385,734

 
$
3,229

 
$
388,963

 
 
 
 
 
 


As of March 31, 2019, minimum lease payments related to operating leases that had not yet commenced were $20.6 million.
Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies
In the normal course of business, Synovus enters into commitments to extend credit such as loan commitments and letters of credit to meet the financing needs of its customers. Synovus uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Synovus also has commitments to fund certain low income housing investments.
The contractual amount of these financial instruments represents Synovus' maximum credit risk should the counterparty draw upon the commitment, and should the counterparty subsequently fail to perform according to the terms of the contract. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Additionally, certain commitments (primarily consumer) can generally be canceled by providing notice to the borrower.
The allowance for credit losses associated with unfunded commitments and letters of credit is a component of the unfunded commitments reserve recorded within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, unearned fees relating to letters of credit are recorded within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. These amounts are not material to Synovus' consolidated balance sheets.
Synovus invests in certain low income housing tax credit partnerships which are engaged in the development and operation of affordable multi-family housing utilizing the LIHTC pursuant to Section 42 of the Code. Synovus typically acts as a limited partner in these investments and does not exert control over the operating or financial policies of the partnerships and as such, is not considered the primary beneficiary of the partnership. Synovus typically provides financing during the construction and development of the properties and is at risk for the amount of its equity investment plus the outstanding amount of any construction loans in excess of the fair value of the collateral for the loan but has no obligation to fund the operations or working capital of the partnerships and are not exposed to losses beyond Synovus’ investment. Synovus receives tax credits related to these investments

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which are subject to recapture by taxing authorities based on compliance features required to be met at the project level.
(in thousands)
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Letters of credit*
$
212,696

 
$
157,675

Commitments to fund commercial and industrial loans
5,823,618

 
5,527,017

Commitments to fund commercial real estate, construction, and land development loans
3,016,716

 
2,034,223

Commitments under home equity lines of credit
1,396,313

 
1,258,657

Unused credit card lines
833,990

 
775,003

Other loan commitments
639,049

 
400,983

Total unfunded lending commitments and letters of credit
$
11,922,382

 
$
10,153,558

 
 
 
 
Investments in low income housing tax credit partnerships:
 
 
 
Carrying amount included in other assets
$
81,611

 
$
83,736

Amount of future funding commitments included in carrying amount
33,463

 
47,123

Short-term construction loans and letter of credit commitments
259

 
1,585

Funded portion of short-term loans and letters of credit
2,822

 
5,595

 
 
 
 
* Represent the contractual amount net of risk participations of approximately $39 million and $46 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
Merchant Services
In accordance with credit and debit card association rules, Synovus sponsors MPS that process credit and debit card transactions on behalf of various merchants. In connection with these services, a liability may arise in the event of a billing dispute between the merchant and a cardholder that is ultimately resolved in the cardholder's favor. If the merchant defaults on its obligations, the cardholder, through its issuing bank, generally has until six months after the date of the transaction to present a chargeback to the merchant processor, which is primarily liable for any losses on covered transactions. However, if the merchant processor fails to meet its obligations, then Synovus, as the sponsor, could be held liable for the disputed amount. Synovus seeks to mitigate this risk through its contractual arrangements with the MPS and the merchants by withholding future settlements, retaining cash reserve accounts and/or obtaining other security. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the sponsored entities processed and settled $17.71 billion and $16.72 billion of transactions, respectively.
Synovus began covering and has continued to cover chargebacks related to a particular MPS during 2019 and 2018 where the MPS’s cash reserve account was unavailable to support the chargebacks. As of March 31, 2019, Synovus had advanced $23.5 million to the MPS to cover these chargebacks. While Synovus has contractual protections against loss, repayment of such amounts will depend upon the continued financial viability and/or valuation of the MPS and the favorable resolution of any resulting disputes over the funds.
Legal Proceedings
Synovus and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, Synovus and its subsidiaries are subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, tax matters, inquiries and investigations. Synovus, like many other financial institutions, has been the target of numerous legal actions and other proceedings asserting claims for damages and related relief for losses. These actions include claims and counterclaims asserted by individuals related to loans and allegations of violations of state and federal laws and regulations relating to banking practices, including putative class action matters and also claims asserted by shareholders or purported shareholders against Synovus, members of Synovus' Board of Directors, and members of Synovus' management team. In addition to actual damages, if Synovus does not prevail in asserted legal actions, credit-related litigation could result in additional write-downs or charge-offs of loans, which could adversely affect Synovus' results of operations during the period in which the write-down or charge-off were to occur.
Synovus carefully examines and considers each legal matter, and, in those situations where Synovus determines that a particular legal matter presents loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable, Synovus establishes an appropriate reserve. An event is considered to be probable if the future event is likely to occur. While the final outcome of any legal proceeding is inherently uncertain, based on the information currently available, advice of counsel and available insurance coverage, management believes that the amounts accrued with respect to legal matters as of March 31, 2019 are adequate. The actual costs of resolving legal claims may be higher or lower than the amounts accrued.
In addition, where Synovus determines that there is a reasonable possibility of a loss in respect of legal matters, Synovus considers whether it is able to estimate the total reasonably possible loss or range of loss. An event is “reasonably possible” if “the

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chance of the future event or events occurring is more than remote but less than likely.” An event is “remote” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is more than slight but less than reasonably possible." In many situations, Synovus may be unable to estimate reasonably possible losses due to the preliminary nature of the legal matters, as well as a variety of other factors and uncertainties. For those legal matters where Synovus is able to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses, management currently estimates the aggregate range from our outstanding litigation is from zero to $5 million in excess of the amounts accrued, if any, related to those matters. This estimated aggregate range is based upon information currently available to Synovus, and the actual losses could prove to be lower or higher. As there are further developments in these legal matters, Synovus will reassess these matters, and the estimated range of reasonably possible losses may change as a result of this assessment. Based on Synovus' current knowledge and advice of counsel, management presently does not believe that the liabilities arising from these legal matters will have a material adverse effect on Synovus' consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these legal matters could have a material adverse effect on Synovus' results of operations for any particular period.
Synovus intends to vigorously pursue all available defenses to these legal matters, but will also consider other alternatives, including settlement, in situations where there is an opportunity to resolve such legal matters on terms that Synovus considers to be favorable, including in light of the continued expense and distraction of defending such legal matters. Synovus maintains insurance coverage, which may be available to cover legal fees, or potential losses that might be incurred in connection with such legal matters. The above-noted estimated range of reasonably possible losses does not take into consideration insurance coverage which may or may not be available for the respective legal matters.


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ITEM 2. – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In this Report, the words “Synovus,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Synovus Financial Corp. together with Synovus Bank and Synovus' other wholly-owned subsidiaries, except where the context requires otherwise.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this Report which are not statements of historical fact, including those under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this Report, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to Synovus' beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, targets, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance and involve known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond Synovus' control and which may cause Synovus' actual results, performance or achievements or the financial services industry or economy generally, to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through Synovus' use of words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “assumes,” “predicts,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “intends,” “targets,” “estimates,” “projects,” “plans,” “potential” and other similar words and expressions of the future or otherwise regarding the outlook for Synovus' future business and financial performance and/or the performance of the financial services industry and economy in general. Forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of Synovus' management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements in this document. Many of these factors are beyond Synovus' ability to control or predict. These factors include, but are not limited to:
(1)
 
the risk that competition in the financial services industry may adversely affect our future earnings and growth;
(2)
 
the risk that we may not realize the expected benefits from our efficiency and growth initiatives, which could negatively impact our future profitability;
(3)
 
that we may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of the Merger, or those benefits may take longer to realize than expected, and that we may encounter significant difficulties in integrating FCB;
(4)
 
the risk that our current and future information technology system enhancements and operational initiatives may not be successfully implemented, which could negatively impact our operations;
(5)
 
the risk that our enterprise risk management framework, our compliance program, or our corporate governance and supervisory oversight functions may not identify or address risks adequately, which may result in unexpected losses;
(6)
 
the risk that our asset quality may deteriorate, our allowance for loan losses may prove to be inadequate or may be negatively affected by credit risk exposures, and the risk that we may be unable to obtain full payment in respect of any trade or other receivables;
(7)
 
the risk that any future economic downturn could have a material adverse effect on our capital, financial condition, results of operations and future growth;
(8)
 
our ability to attract and retain key employees;
(9)
 
the risk that we may be required to make substantial expenditures to keep pace with regulatory initiatives and the rapid technological changes in the financial services market;
(10)
 
risks related to our business relationships with, and reliance upon, third parties that have strategic partnerships with us or that provide key components of our business infrastructure, including the costs of services and products provided to us by third parties, and risks related to disruptions in service or financial difficulties with a third-party vendor or business relationship;
(11)
 
risks related to the ability of our operational framework to identify and manage risks associated with our business such as credit risk, compliance risk, reputational risk, and operational risk, including third-party vendors and other service providers;

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(12)
 
our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks such as data security breaches, malware, "denial of service" attacks, "hacking" and identity theft, a failure of which could disrupt our business and result in the disclosure of and/or misuse or misappropriation of confidential or proprietary information, disruption or damage of our systems, increased costs, significant losses, or adverse effects to our reputation;
(13)
 
the risk related to our implementation of new lines of business or new products and services;
(14)
 
changes in interest rate environment, including changes to the federal funds rate, and competition in our primary market area may result in increased funding costs or reduced earning assets yields, thus reducing margins and net interest income;
(15)
 
the impact of recent and proposed changes in governmental policy, laws and regulations, including proposed and recently enacted changes in the regulation and taxation of banks and financial institutions, or the interpretation or application thereof and the uncertainty of future implementation and enforcement of these regulations;
(16)
 
the risk that we may be exposed to potential losses in the event of fraud and/or theft, or in the event that a third-party vendor, obligor, or business partner fails to pay amounts due to us under that relationship or under any arrangement that we enter into with them;
(17)
 
the risk that we may not be able to identify suitable bank and non-bank acquisition opportunities as part of our growth strategy and even if we are able to identify attractive acquisition opportunities, we may not be able to complete such transactions on favorable terms or realize anticipated benefits from such transactions;
(18)
 
the impact on our financial results, reputation, and business if we are unable to comply with all applicable federal and state regulations or other supervisory actions or directives and any necessary capital initiatives;
(19)
 
changes in the cost and availability of funding due to changes in the deposit market and credit market;
(20)
 
the risks that if economic conditions worsen or regulatory capital rules are modified, we may be required to undertake initiatives to improve our capital position;
(21)
 
restrictions or limitations on access to funds from historical and alternative sources of liquidity could adversely affect our overall liquidity, which could restrict our ability to make payments on our obligations and our ability to support asset growth and sustain our operations and the operations of Synovus Bank;
(22)
 
the risk that we could realize losses if we sell non-performing assets and the proceeds we receive are lower than the carrying value of such assets;
(23)
 
our ability to receive dividends from our subsidiaries could affect our liquidity, including our ability to pay dividends or take other capital actions;
(24)
 
risks related to regulatory approval to take certain actions, including any dividends on our common stock or Series D Preferred Stock, any repurchases of common stock or any issuance or redemption of any other regulatory capital instruments, as well as any applications in respect of expansionary initiatives;
(25)
 
risks related to the continued use, availability and reliability of LIBOR and other "benchmark" rates;
(26)
 
the risk that Federal Tax Reform could have an adverse impact on our business or our customers, including with respect to demand and pricing for our loan products;
(27)
 
the costs and effects of litigation, investigations, inquiries or similar matters, or adverse facts and developments related thereto;
(28)
 
risks related to the fluctuation in our stock price;
(29)
 
the effects of any damages to our reputation resulting from developments related to any of the items identified above; and
(30)
 
other factors and other information contained in this Report and in other reports and filings that we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, those found in "Part I - Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this Report.
For a discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, refer to “Part I-Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other information contained in Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K and our other periodic filings, including quarterly

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reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, that we file from time to time with the SEC. All written or oral forward-looking statements that are made by or are attributable to Synovus are expressly qualified by this cautionary notice. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements since those statements speak only as of the date on which the statements are made. Synovus undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information and statements, whether oral or written, to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of new information or unanticipated events, except as may otherwise be required by law.
INTRODUCTION AND CORPORATE PROFILE
Synovus Financial Corp. is a financial services company and a registered bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Georgia. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Synovus Bank, a Georgia state-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, the company provides commercial and retail banking in addition to a full suite of specialized products and services including private banking, treasury management, wealth management, premium finance and international banking. Synovus also provides mortgage services, financial planning, and investment advisory services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Synovus Mortgage, Synovus Trust, and Synovus Securities, as well as its GLOBALT and Creative Financial Group divisions.
Synovus Bank is positioned in some of the highest growth markets in the Southeast, with 300 branches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
The following financial review summarizes the significant trends, changes in our business, transactions, and other matters affecting Synovus’ results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and financial condition as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. This discussion supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Report and the consolidated financial statements of Synovus, the notes thereto, and management’s discussion and analysis contained in Synovus’ 2018 Form 10-K.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations consists of:
Ÿ
Discussion of Results of Operations - Reviews Synovus' financial performance, as well as selected balance sheet items, items from the statements of income, significant transactions, and certain key ratios that illustrate Synovus' performance.

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

Ÿ
Additional Disclosures - Discusses additional important matters including critical accounting policies and non-GAAP financial measures used within this Report.
A reading of each section is important to understand fully our financial performance.

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DISCUSSION OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Table 1 - Consolidated Financial Highlights
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
2019
 
2018
 
Change
Net interest income
$
397,175

 
$
274,284

 
44.8
 %
Provision for loan losses
23,569

 
12,776

 
84.5

Non-interest income
79,378

 
67,046

 
18.4

Adjusted non-interest income(1)
78,445

 
70,102

 
11.9

Total revenues
476,554

 
341,330

 
39.6

Adjusted total revenues(1)
476,250

 
344,502

 
38.2

Non-interest expense
292,410

 
195,179

 
49.8

Adjusted non-interest expense(1)
242,653

 
198,120

 
22.5

Income before income taxes
160,574

 
133,375

 
20.4

Net income
120,186

 
103,166

 
16.5

Net income available to common shareholders
117,036

 
100,607

 
16.3

Net income per common share, basic
0.73

 
0.85

 
(14.2
)
Net income per common share, diluted
0.72

 
0.84

 
(14.7
)
Adjusted net income per common share, diluted(1)
0.98

 
0.86

 
15.1

Net interest margin(2)
3.78
%
 
3.78
%
 

Net charge-off ratio(2)
0.19

 
0.07

 
12

Return on average assets(2)
1.06

 
1.34

 
(28
)
Adjusted return on average assets(1)(2)
1.45

 
1.36

 
9

Efficiency ratio
61.29

 
57.16

 
413

Adjusted tangible efficiency ratio(1)
50.24

 
57.42

 
(718
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Report for the applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.
(2) Annualized
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Sequential Quarter Change
 
March 31, 2018
 
Year-Over-Year Change
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs
$
35,634,501

 
$
25,946,573

 
$
9,687,928

 
$
24,883,037

 
$
10,751,464

Total average loans
35,320,014

 
25,626,249

 
9,693,765

 
24,852,399

 
10,467,615

Total deposits
38,075,190

 
26,720,322

 
11,354,868

 
26,253,507

 
11,821,683

Total core deposits(1)
35,366,186

 
25,172,292

 
10,193,894

 
24,246,930

 
11,119,256

Total average deposits
37,826,952

 
26,920,101

 
10,906,851

 
25,788,073

 
12,038,879

Non-performing assets ratio(3)
0.44
%
 
0.44
%
 

 
0.53
%
 
(9
)bps
Non-performing loans ratio(3)
0.40

 
0.41

 
(1
)
 
0.48

 
(8
)
Past due loans over 90 days
0.01

 
0.01

 

 
0.02

 
(1
)
CET1 capital (transitional)
$
3,790,395

 
$
2,897,997

 
$
892,398

 
$
2,814,494

 
$
975,901

Tier 1 capital
3,985,535

 
3,090,416

 
895,119

 
2,924,109

 
1,061,426

Total risk-based capital
4,803,641

 
3,601,376

 
1,202,265

 
3,442,921

 
1,360,720

CET1 capital ratio (transitional)
9.52
%
 
9.95
%
 
(43
)bps
 
10.13
%
 
(61
)bps
Tier 1 capital ratio
10.01

 
10.61

 
(60
)
 
10.53

 
(52
)
Total risk-based capital ratio
12.06

 
12.37

 
(31
)
 
12.39

 
(33
)
Total shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio
9.86

 
9.59

 
27

 
9.39

 
47

Tangible common equity ratio(1)
8.34

 
8.81

 
(47
)
 
8.79

 
(45
)
Return on average common equity(2)
10.98

 
14.25

 
(327
)
 
14.62

 
(364
)
Adjusted return on average common equity(1)(2)
15.03

 
14.96

 
7

 
14.82

 
21

Adjusted return on average tangible common equity(1)(2)
17.52

 
15.36

 
216

 
15.23

 
229

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Report for the applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.
(2) Quarter annualized
(3) For purposes of this table, March 31, 2019 non-performing loans exclude acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 that are currently accruing income.


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Executive Summary
Net income available to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2019 was $117.0 million, or $0.72 per diluted common share, an increase of 16.3% and decline of 14.7%, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted net income per common share, diluted(1) was $0.98 for the first quarter of 2019, up 15.1% compared to $0.86 for the first quarter of 2018. Results for the first quarter of 2019 include the impact of the merger with FCB, which closed on January 1, 2019. Synovus incurred $49.7 million in pre-tax merger-related expenses associated with the FCB acquisition, which impacted EPS by $0.27. On the Acquisition Date, the preliminary estimated fair values of FCB included approximately $12.4 billion of identifiable assets, $9.3 billion in loans, and $10.9 billion in deposits. Excluding the impact of acquired balances, the first quarter of 2019 results were positively impacted with period-end organic loan and deposit growth of $400.1 million and $423.7 million, respectively. Return on average assets for the first quarter of 2019 was 1.06%, down 28 basis points from the first quarter of 2018, and the adjusted return on average assets(1) was 1.45%, up 9 basis points from the first quarter of 2018.
On a sequential quarter basis, net interest income increased $99.2 million, or 33.3%, and compared to the same quarter in 2018, net interest income increased $122.9 million, or 44.8%, driven by the FCB acquisition. The net interest margin for the quarter was 3.78%, down 14 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2018. Net interest income and margin were favorably impacted by $18.8 million, or 19 basis points, of purchase accounting adjustments. Purchase accounting adjustments are primarily comprised of $7.4 million of loan accretion and $11.0 million of deposit premium amortization in the first quarter of 2019. The sequential quarter decrease in the net interest margin was driven by the FCB merger, the issuance of subordinated debt, and continued deposit mix shift into time deposits. The net interest margin, excluding the impact of purchase accounting adjustments was 3.59% for the first quarter of 2019. The net interest margin decline for the quarter, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, included an 11 basis point increase in earning asset yields and a 25 basis point increase in the effective cost of funds.
Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2019 was $79.4 million, up $12.3 million, or 18.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2018. The acquisition of FCB contributed approximately $7.3 million of non-interest income in the first quarter of 2019. Adjusted non-interest income(1), which excludes investment securities gains/(losses), net and changes in fair value of private equity investments, was up $8.3 million, or 11.9%, for the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018.
Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2019 was $292.4 million, up $97.2 million, or 49.8%, compared to the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted non-interest expense(1), which excludes merger-related expense of $49.7 million, was $242.7 million, up $44.5 million, or 22.5%, compared to the first quarter of 2018, including $26.8 million related to the operations of FCB and $3.1 million in additional amortization of intangibles. The efficiency ratio for the first three months of 2019 was 61.29%, compared to 57.16% for the first three months of 2018. The adjusted tangible efficiency ratio(1) for the first three months of 2019 was 50.24%, down 718 basis points from the same period a year ago.
Synovus continued to benefit from a relatively stable credit environment with the non-performing assets ratio at 44 basis points, non-performing loans ratio at 40 basis points, and total past due loans at 25 basis points. Additionally, loans past due 90 days or more remain at an insignificant level. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2019 were $17.1 million, or 0.19%, as a percentage of average loans annualized, compared to $13.0 million, or 0.20%, and $4.3 million, or 0.07%, for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in net charge-offs was primarily attributable to a higher level of recoveries in the previous and prior year quarters, with gross charge-offs for the first quarter of 2019 remaining in-line with the fourth quarter of 2018 but slightly elevated from the first quarter of 2018. For the first quarter of 2019, the provision for loan losses was $23.6 million, an increase of $11.4 million, or 94.0%, and $10.8 million, or 84.5%, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in provision expense was driven by an accelerated rate of new and renewed loan production with the addition of FCB, increases to the loan loss reserve, and a lower level of recoveries and upgrades compared to previous quarters in 2018. The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2019 was $257.0 million, or 0.72% of total loans, compared to $250.6 million, or 0.97% of total loans, at December 31, 2018 and $257.8 million, or 1.04% of total loans, at March 31, 2018, reflecting a lower ratio at March 31, 2019, with no allowance for loan losses recorded for acquired loans at the Acquisition Date in accordance with ASC Topic 820.
At March 31, 2019, total loans were $35.63 billion, an increase of $9.69 billion, or 37.3% and $10.75 billion or 43.2%, compared to December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively, including acquired loan balances from FCB of $9.29 billion and broad-based organic growth of $400.1 million compared to December 31, 2018. The mix within the loan portfolio has shifted slightly as a result of the consolidation with FCB, but it remains in-line with the targets indicated in our strategic plan. C&I loans remain the largest component of our balance sheet representing 45% of total loans, while CRE and consumer loans represent 29%, and 26%, respectively.
Total period-end deposits at March 31, 2019 increased $11.35 billion, or 42.5%, compared to December 31, 2018, including $10.93 billion in deposits acquired from FCB and $423.7 million of organic growth. The organic growth was driven largely by the continued market preference for time deposits, which increased $614.6 million. Time deposits, excluding brokered time deposits, now represent 22.8% of Synovus' deposit base following the acquisition of FCB.

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

More detail on Synovus' financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 can be found in subsequent sections of "Item 2. – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Report.
2019 Outlook
For the full year 2019, compared to 2018 results on a pro forma combined basis for Synovus and FCB, previously stated 2019 guidance remains unchanged:
Loan growth of 5.5% to 7.5%
Deposit growth of 5.5% to 7.5%
Revenue Growth of 5.5% to 7.5%
Adjusted tangible non-interest expense growth of 2% to 4%
Effective income tax rate of 23% to 24%
Net charge-off ratio of 15 to 20 bps
(1) See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this Report for applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.
Changes in Financial Condition
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, total assets increased $13.96 billion from $32.67 billion at December 31, 2018 to $46.63 billion, due primarily to the acquisition of FCB on January 1, 2019. On the Acquisition Date, the preliminary estimated fair values of FCB included approximately $12.4 billion of identifiable assets, $9.3 billion in loans, and $10.9 billion in deposits. Additionally, based on preliminary purchase price allocations, goodwill increased by $427.7 million. Excluding the acquired balances of FCB, investment securities available for sale increased $515.6 million and loans increased $400.1 million. Excluding the acquired balances of FCB, an increase of $423.7 million in deposits and a combined increase of $498.6 million in other short-term borrowings and long-term debt provided the funding source for the growth in assets. The net loan to deposit ratio was 93.6% at March 31, 2019, compared to 97.1% at December 31, 2018, and 94.8% at March 31, 2018.

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Loans
The following table compares the composition of the loan portfolio at March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, and March 31, 2018.
Table 2 - Loans by Portfolio Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Linked Quarter % Change
 
March 31, 2018
 
Year/Year % Change
(dollars in thousands)
Total Loans
 
Total Originated Loans
 
Total Acquired(1) Loans
 
Total Loans
 
 
Total Loans
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural
$
9,547,816

 
$
7,661,252

 
$
1,886,564

 
$
7,449,698

 
28.2
 %
 
$
7,191,531

 
32.8
 %
Owner-occupied
6,560,681

 
5,375,678

 
1,185,003

 
5,331,508

 
23.1

 
4,910,386

 
33.6

Total commercial and industrial
16,108,497

 
13,036,930

 
3,071,567

 
12,781,206

 
26.0

 
12,101,917

 
33.1

Investment properties
8,916,780

 
5,720,945

 
3,195,835

 
5,560,951

 
60.3

 
5,619,050

 
58.7

1-4 family properties
765,001

 
657,799

 
107,202

 
679,870

 
12.5

 
758,904

 
0.8

Land and development
580,591

 
343,187

 
237,404

 
323,670

 
79.4

 
457,773

 
26.8

Total commercial real estate
10,262,372

 
6,721,931

 
3,540,441

 
6,564,491

 
56.3

 
6,835,727

 
50.1

Consumer mortgages
5,390,821

 
3,044,207

 
2,346,614

 
2,934,235

 
83.7

 
2,663,371

 
102.4

Home equity lines
1,606,227

 
1,540,726

 
65,501

 
1,515,796

 
6.0

 
1,472,471

 
9.1

Credit cards
252,762

 
252,762

 

 
258,245

 
(2.1
)
 
226,713

 
11.5

Other consumer loans
2,037,477

 
2,023,693

 
13,784

 
1,916,743

 
6.3

 
1,606,799

 
26.8

Total consumer
9,287,287

 
6,861,388

 
2,425,899

 
6,625,019

 
40.2

 
5,969,354

 
55.6

Deferred fees and costs, net
(23,655
)
 
(23,655
)
 

 
(24,143
)
 
(2.0
)
 
(23,961
)
 
(1.3
)
Total loans
$
35,634,501

 
$
26,596,594

 
$
9,037,907

 
$
25,946,573

 
37.3
 %
 
$
24,883,037

 
43.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Represents $9.29 billion (at fair value) of loans acquired from FCB, net of payments since acquisition date.
At March 31, 2019, total loans were $35.63 billion, an increase of $9.69 billion, or 37.3% and $10.75 billion or 43.2%, compared to December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively, including acquired loan balances from FCB of $9.29 billion. Excluding acquired FCB balances, period-end loans increased $400.1 million compared to December 31, 2018, with growth of $184.7 million in consumer loans, $151.5 million in CRE loans, and $55.9 million in C&I loans. FCB contributed approximately $214 million in organic growth during the first quarter. The mix within the loan portfolio has shifted slightly as a result of the consolidation with FCB, but it remains in-line with the targets indicated in our strategic plan. C&I loans remain the largest component of our balance sheet representing 45.2% of total loans, while CRE and consumer loans represent 28.8%, and 26.0%, respectively.
Commercial Loans
Total commercial loans (which are comprised of C&I and CRE loans) at March 31, 2019 were $26.37 billion or 74.0% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $19.35 billion, or 74.5%, at December 31, 2018 and $18.94 billion, or 76.0%, at March 31, 2018.
At March 31, 2019, Synovus had 7 commercial loan relationships with total commitments of $100 million or more, with no single relationship exceeding $130 million in commitments.
Commercial and Industrial Loans
The C&I loan portfolio represents the largest category of Synovus' total loan portfolio. The following table shows the composition of the C&I loan portfolio aggregated by NAICS code. In accordance with Synovus' lending policy, each loan undergoes a detailed underwriting process which incorporates uniform underwriting standards and oversight in proportion to the size and complexity of the lending relationship. As of March 31, 2019, approximately 93% of Synovus' C&I loans are secured by real estate, business equipment, inventory, and other types of collateral. C&I loans of $16.11 billion, representing 45.2% of the total loan portfolio, grew $3.33 billion, or 26.0% from December 31, 2018 and $4.01 billion, or 33.1%, from March 31, 2018 including acquired loan balances from FCB of $3.27 billion. Excluding acquired FCB balances, growth was $55.9 million and driven by lending specialties including ABL and insurance-premium finance. These gains were partially offset by a small decline in senior housing as well as a seasonal decline in commercial line utilization.

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Table 3 - Commercial and Industrial Loans by Industry
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
(dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
%(1)
 
Amount
 
%(1)
Health care and social assistance
$
3,063,354

 
19.0
%
 
$
3,044,132

 
23.8
%
Manufacturing
1,267,347

 
7.9

 
1,077,460

 
8.4

Retail trade
1,212,612

 
7.5

 
903,965

 
7.1

Finance and insurance
1,139,324

 
7.1

 
906,955

 
7.1

Wholesale trade
1,101,199

 
6.8

 
693,920

 
5.4

Other services
912,576

 
5.7

 
793,948

 
6.2

Real estate and rental and leasing
887,721

 
5.5

 
675,824

 
5.3

Accommodation and food services
882,918

 
5.5

 
663,106

 
5.2

Professional, scientific, and technical services
868,054

 
5.4

 
844,929

 
6.6

Arts, entertainment and recreation
849,283

 
5.3

 
234,310

 
1.8

Transportation and warehousing
841,532

 
5.2

 
477,386

 
3.7

Construction
684,516

 
4.2

 
615,903

 
4.8

Real estate other
534,098

 
3.3

 
452,360

 
3.5

Other industries
520,934

 
3.3

 
235,143

 
2.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
339,939

 
2.1

 
344,136

 
2.7

Educational services
339,679

 
2.1

 
284,840

 
2.2

Administration, support, waste management, and remediation
334,260

 
2.1

 
281,681

 
2.2

Information
329,151

 
2.0

 
251,208

 
2.0

Total commercial and industrial loans
$
16,108,497

 
100.0
%
 
$
12,781,206

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Loan balance in each category expressed as a percentage of total C&I loans.
At March 31, 2019, $9.55 billion of C&I loans, or 26.8% of the total loan portfolio, represented loans originated for the purpose of financing commercial, financial, and agricultural business activities. The primary source of repayment on these loans is revenue generated from products or services offered by the business or organization. The secondary source of repayment is the collateral, which consists primarily of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, time deposits, cash surrender value of life insurance, and other business assets.
At March 31, 2019, $6.56 billion of C&I loans, or 18.4% of the total loan portfolio, represented loans originated for the purpose of financing owner-occupied properties. The financing of owner-occupied facilities is considered a C&I loan even though there is improved real estate as collateral. This treatment is a result of the credit decision process, which focuses on cash flow from operations of the business to repay the debt. The secondary source of repayment on these loans is the underlying real estate. These loans are predominately secured by owner-occupied and other real estate, and to a lesser extent, other types of collateral.
Commercial Real Estate Loans
CRE loans consist of investment properties loans, 1-4 family properties loans, as well as land and development loans. Total CRE loans were $10.26 billion, representing 28.8% of the total loan portfolio, and increased $3.70 billion, or 56.3% from December 31, 2018 and increased $3.43 billion, or 50.1%, from March 31, 2018, driven by the FCB acquisition, which included $3.55 billion of CRE loans on the Acquisition Date. Excluding the acquisition, CRE loans grew $151.5 million sequentially led by growth in investment properties partially offset by continued strategic declines in 1-4 family properties and land and development loans.
Investment Properties Loans
Investment properties loans consist of construction and mortgage loans for income-producing properties and are primarily made to finance multi-family properties, hotels, office buildings, shopping centers, warehouses and other commercial development properties. Total investment properties loans as of March 31, 2019 were $8.92 billion, or 86.9% of the total CRE loan portfolio and 25.0% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $5.56 billion, or 84.7% of the total CRE loan portfolio and 21.4% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018. The increase in investment properties was primarily driven by FCB which included $3.15 billion of acquired investment properties loans. Excluding the acquisition, investment properties loans grew $202.3 million sequentially, driven by increases in most sub-categories including multi-family, shopping centers and other investment properties.

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1-4 Family Properties Loans
1-4 family properties loans include construction loans to homebuilders and commercial mortgage loans to real estate investors and are almost always secured by the underlying property being financed by such loans. These properties are primarily located in the markets served by Synovus. At March 31, 2019, 1-4 family properties loans totaled $765.0 million, or 7.5% of the total CRE loan portfolio and 2.2% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $679.9 million, or 10.4% of the total CRE loan portfolio and 2.6% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018. Outside of $112.0 million loans acquired from FCB, 1-4 family properties loans declined $26.9 million sequentially.
Land and Development Loans
Land and development loans include commercial and residential development as well as land acquisition loans and are secured by land held for future development, typically in excess of one year. Properties securing these loans are substantially within markets served by Synovus, and loan terms generally include personal guarantees from the principals. Loans in this portfolio are underwritten based on the LTV of the collateral and the capacity of the guarantor(s). Total land and development loans were $580.6 million at March 31, 2019, or 1.6% of the total loan portfolio, an increase of $256.9 million, or 79.4% from December 31, 2018 which was driven by $280.9 million of loans acquired from FCB. Outside of the acquisition, land and development loans declined $23.9 million sequentially.
Consumer Loans
The consumer loan portfolio consists of a wide variety of loan products offered through Synovus' banking network as well as third-party lending partnerships, including first and second residential mortgages, home equity lines, credit card loans, home improvement loans, student loans, and other consumer loans. The majority of Synovus' consumer loans are consumer mortgages and home equity lines secured by first and second liens on residential real estate primarily located in the markets served by Synovus.
Consumer loans at March 31, 2019 totaled $9.29 billion, representing 26.0% of the total loan portfolio compared to $6.63 billion, or 25.5% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018, and $5.97 billion, or 24.0% of the total loan portfolio at March 31, 2018. Consumer loans increased $2.66 billion, or 40.2% from December 31, 2018 and $3.32 billion, or 55.6%, from March 31, 2018. The increases were primarily driven by $2.48 billion of loans acquired from FCB. Excluding the acquisition, consumer loans grew $184.7 million sequentially, driven by growth in other consumer loans, including our lending partnerships, of $105.7 million, consumer mortgages of $60.0 million, and HELOCs of $24.5 million.
Consumer mortgages grew $2.46 billion or 83.7% from December 31, 2018, and $2.73 billion, or 102.4%, from March 31, 2018. Excluding the $2.40 billion in consumer mortgages acquired in the FCB acquisition, the sequential quarter growth of $60.0 million was driven by solid production in the physician and affordable mortgage products as well as production added by mortgage loan originators hired in 2018.
HELOCs increased $90.4 million or 6.0%, from December 31, 2018, driven primarily by the FCB acquisition. Credit card loans totaled $252.8 million at March 31, 2019, including $72.6 million of commercial credit card loans, and declined slightly compared to $258.2 million at December 31, 2018. Other consumer loans increased $120.7 million, or 6.3% from December 31, 2018, and $430.7 million, or 26.8%, from March 31, 2018 primarily due to our two consumer-based lending partnerships. As of March 31, 2019, these partnerships had combined balances of $1.70 billion, or 4.8% of the total loan portfolio.
Consumer loans are subject to uniform lending policies and consist primarily of loans with strong borrower credit scores. Synovus makes consumer lending decisions based upon a number of key credit risk determinants including FICO scores as well as loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratios. Risk levels 1-6 (descending) are assigned to consumer loans based upon a risk score matrix. At least annually, the consumer loan portfolio data is sent to a consumer credit reporting agency for a refresh of customers' credit scores so that management can evaluate ongoing consistency or negative migration in the quality of the portfolio, which impacts the allowance for loan losses. Revolving lines of credit were reviewed for any material change in financial circumstances, and when appropriate, the line of credit may be suspended for further advances. FICO scores within the residential real estate portfolio have generally remained stable over the last several years. As of the most recent FICO score refresh as of December 31, 2018, weighted-average FICO scores within the residential real estate portfolio were 772 for HELOCs and 786 for Consumer Mortgages.

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Deposits
Deposits provide the most significant funding source for interest earning assets. The following table shows the relative composition of deposits as of the dates indicated.
Table 4 - Composition of Period-end Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2019
 
%(1)
 
December 31, 2018
 
%(1)
 
March 31, 2018
 
%(1)
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
$
9,144,315

 
24.0
%
 
$
7,650,967

 
28.6
%
 
$
7,381,070

 
28.1
%
Interest-bearing demand deposits
6,507,460

 
17.1

 
4,756,239

 
17.8

 
5,104,004

 
19.4

Money market accounts, excluding brokered deposits
10,122,853

 
26.6

 
8,143,975

 
30.5

 
7,865,144

 
30.0

Savings deposits
909,403

 
2.4

 
817,385

 
3.1

 
833,571

 
3.2

Time deposits, excluding brokered deposits
8,682,155

 
22.8

 
3,803,726

 
14.2

 
3,063,141

 
11.7

Brokered deposits
2,709,004

 
7.1

 
1,548,030

 
5.8

 
2,006,577

 
7.6

Total deposits
$
38,075,190

 
100.0
%
 
$
26,720,322

 
100.0
%
 
$
26,253,507

 
100.0
%
Total core deposits(2)    
$
35,366,186

 
92.9
%
 
$
25,172,292

 
94.2
%
 
$
24,246,930

 
92.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Time deposits greater than $100,000
$
8,318,082

 
21.8
%
 
$
3,749,928

 
14.0
%
 
$
3,695,809

 
14.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brokered time deposits
$
1,902,962

 
5.0
%
 
$
1,199,670

 
4.5
%
 
$
1,779,049

 
6.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Deposits balance in each category expressed as percentage of total deposits.
(2) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Report for the applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.
Total period-end deposits at March 31, 2019 increased $11.35 billion, or 42.5%, compared to December 31, 2018. Total core deposits at March 31, 2019 increased $10.19 billion, or 40.5%, compared to December 31, 2018. The acquisition of FCB contributed $10.93 billion in total deposits, including $9.67 billion in core deposits. Excluding the acquired balances, total deposits grew $423.7 million compared to the prior quarter driven largely by the continued market preference for time deposits, which increased $614.6 million. Time deposits, excluding brokered time deposits, now represent 22.8% of Synovus' deposit base following the acquisition of FCB.
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits as a percentage of total deposits declined during the first quarter of 2019 and represented 24.0%, 28.6%, and 28.1% at March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, and March 31, 2018, respectively.
Brokered deposits, as a percentage of total deposits, increased during the first quarter of 2019 following the acquisition of FCB and represented 7.1%, 5.8% and 7.6%, at March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, and March 31, 2018, respectively.
Non-interest Income
Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2019 was $79.4 million, up $12.3 million, or 18.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2018. The acquisition of FCB contributed approximately $7.3 million of non-interest income in the first quarter of 2019, which was primarily attributable to swap fee income, income from bank-owned life insurance, and service charges on deposits. Other non-interest income included favorable fair value adjustments to private equity investments of $858 thousand during the first quarter of 2019 compared to unfavorable fair value adjustments of $3.1 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted non-interest income, which excludes investment securities gains/(losses), net and changes in fair value of private equity investments was up $8.3 million, or 11.9%, for the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018. See "Part II - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" of this Report for applicable reconciliation to GAAP measures.
The following table shows the principal components of non-interest income.
Table 5 - Non-interest income
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
20,859

 
$
19,940

 
4.6
%
Fiduciary and asset management fees
13,578

 
13,435

 
1.1

Card fees
10,877

 
10,199

 
6.6

Brokerage revenue
9,406

 
8,695

 
8.2

Mortgage banking income
5,054

 
5,047

 
0.1

Income from bank-owned life insurance
5,290

 
4,217

 
25.4

Swap fee income
4,778

 
690

 
nm

Investment securities gains, net
75

 

 
nm

Increase (decrease) in fair value of private equity investments, net
858

 
(3,056
)
 
nm

Other non-interest income
8,603

 
7,879

 
9.2

Total non-interest income
$
79,378

 
$
67,046

 
18.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 compared to March 31, 2018
Service charges on deposit accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were up $919 thousand with $1.3 million from FCB. Service charges on deposit accounts consist of NSF fees, account analysis fees, and all other service charges. NSF fees were down $281 thousand, and mostly offset by an increase of $222 thousand in account analysis fees for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The decline in NSF fees from the same period a year ago was primarily due to a higher level of NSF fees during the first quarter of 2018 as well as slightly increased charge-offs of uncollectible overdraft fees during the first quarter of 2019. All other service charges on deposit accounts, which consist primarily of monthly fees on retail demand deposits, saving accounts, and small business accounts, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, were up $978 thousand, due primarily to the addition of FCB.
Fiduciary and asset management fees are derived from providing estate administration, personal trust, corporate trust, corporate bond, investment management, and financial planning services. Fiduciary and asset management fees increased slightly, with no direct impact from FCB. The increase was driven by growth in total assets under management which increased by 5.7% year-over-year to approximately $15.0 billion (including growth in brokerage assets under management).
Card fees for the three months ended March 31, 2019, increased $678 thousand, or 6.6%, with $302 thousand from FCB. Card fees consist primarily of credit card interchange fees, debit card interchange fees, and merchant discounts. Card fees are reported net of certain associated expense items including customer loyalty program expenses and network expenses.
Brokerage revenue was $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, up $711 thousand, or 8.2%. Brokerage revenue consists primarily of brokerage commissions, as well as advisory fees earned from the management of customer assets. Brokerage assets under management were approximately $3.1 billion at March 31, 2019, an increase of 19% from $2.6 billion at March 31, 2018. The addition of FCB had no direct impact on our reported results in this category.
Mortgage banking income was essentially flat when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, and included $204 thousand from FCB.
Income from bank-owned life insurance, which includes increases in the cash surrender value of policies and proceeds from insurance benefits, increased $1.1 million, or 25.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, with $1.4 million from FCB.

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The first quarter of 2019 included income on proceeds from insurance benefits of $233 thousand compared to $536 thousand in 2018.
Swap fee income increased $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, driven by $3.4 million from FCB.
Investment securities gains, net, of $75 thousand, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included gains of $9.2 million and losses of $9.1 million, due to repositioning of the portfolio to better align with long-term liquidity objectives.
Increase/(decrease) in the fair value of private equity investments was up $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 due primarily to favorable fair value adjustments to private equity investments of $858 thousand during the first quarter of 2019 compared to unfavorable fair value adjustments of $3.1 million for the same period a year ago.
The main components of other non-interest income are fees for letters of credit and unused lines of credit, safe deposit box fees, access fees for automated teller machine use, other service charges, income from insurance commissions, gains from sales of GGL/SBA loans, and other miscellaneous items.
Non-interest Expense
Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2019 was $292.4 million, up $97.2 million, or 49.8%, compared to the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted non-interest expense, which excludes merger-related expense of $49.7 million, was $242.7 million, up $44.5 million, or 22.5%, compared to the first quarter of 2018, including $26.8 million related to the operations of FCB and $3.1 million in additional amortization of intangibles. The efficiency ratio for the first three months of 2019 was 61.29%, compared to 57.16% for the first three months of 2018. The adjusted tangible efficiency ratio for the first three months of 2019 was 50.24%, down 718 basis points from the same period a year ago. See "Part II - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" of this Report for applicable reconciliation to GAAP measures.
The following table summarizes the components of non-interest expense.
Table 6 - Non-interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
Salaries and other personnel expense
$
139,427

 
$
113,720

 
22.6
 %
Net occupancy and equipment expense
38,394

 
31,480

 
22.0

Third-party processing expense
17,758

 
13,945

 
27.3

FDIC insurance and other regulatory fees
6,761

 
6,793

 
(0.5
)
Professional fees
6,348

 
5,505

 
15.3

Advertising expense
5,123

 
5,092

 
0.6

Amortization of intangibles
3,392

 
292

 
nm

Merger-related expense
49,738

 

 
nm

Other operating expenses
25,469

 
18,352

 
38.8

Total non-interest expense
$
292,410

 
$
195,179

 
49.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 compared to March 31, 2018
Salaries and other personnel expenses increased $25.7 million, or 22.6%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, including $16.0 million from FCB, talent additions, higher production-based commission and incentive compensation expense, and annual merit increases.
Net occupancy and equipment expense increased $6.9 million, or 22.0%, during the three months ended March 31, 2019, including $4.1 million related primarily to additional branches from the acquisition of FCB.
Third-party processing expense includes all third-party core operating system and processing charges as well as third-party servicing charges. Third-party processing expense increased $3.8 million, or 27.3%, including $3.1 million from FCB and increases associated with loan growth from Synovus' consumer-based lending partnerships.
FDIC insurance and other regulatory fees include the impact of FCB for the three months ended March 31, 2019, but are essentially flat compared to the same period a year ago due to the FDIC's elimination of the assessment surcharge for all large banks in the fourth quarter of 2018.

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Professional fees increased $843 thousand, or 15.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, including $341 thousand from FCB.
Amortization of intangibles was up $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 due to amortization of the core deposit intangible asset created from FCB acquisition, which will be amortized using an accelerated method over an estimated life of 10 years.
In connection with the FCB acquisition, Synovus incurred merger-related expense totaling $49.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily related to employee compensation, severance, and professional services. See "Note 2 - Acquisitions" in this Report for more information on the acquisition of FCB.
Other operating expenses were up $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 with travel expense up $1.6 million. Other operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2018 included the benefit of a contingency recovery of $2.6 million, unfunded commitment reserve release of $1.0 million, and restructuring charge recovery of $315 thousand.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense was $40.4 million and $30.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, representing an effective tax rate of 25.2% and 22.7% for the respective periods. The increase in the effective tax rate was largely due to non-deductible merger-related expenses incurred during the first quarter of 2019 and higher tax benefits recognized during the first quarter of 2018 from vesting of employee share-based awards.
The effective tax rate is affected by many factors including, but not limited to, the level of pre-tax income, bank-owned life insurance, tax-exempt interest and nondeductible expenses. In addition, the effective tax rate is affected by items that may occur in any given period but are not consistent from period-to-period, such as tax benefits related to share-based compensation, jurisdiction statutory tax rate changes, valuation allowance changes and changes to unrecognized tax benefits. Accordingly, the comparability of the effective tax rate between periods may be impacted.

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Table of Contents

CREDIT QUALITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Credit Quality
Synovus continuously monitors the quality of its loan portfolio by industry, property type, geography, as well as credit quality metrics and maintains an allowance for loan losses that management believes is sufficient to absorb probable losses inherent in its loan portfolio. Synovus continued to benefit from a relatively stable credit environment during the first three months of 2019.
The table below includes selected credit quality metrics.
Table 7 - Credit Quality Metrics
 
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
Non-performing loans(1)
$
143,976

 
$
106,733

 
$
120,081

Impaired loans held for sale(2)
12

 
1,506

 
6,591

Other real estate
11,329

 
6,220

 
4,496

Non-performing assets(1)
$
155,317

 
$
114,459

 
$
131,168

Total loans
$
35,634,501

 
$
25,946,573

 
$
24,883,037

Non-performing loans as a % of total loans
0.40
%
 
0.41
%
 
0.48
%
Non-performing assets as a % of total loans, other loans held for sale, and ORE
0.44

 
0.44

 
0.53

Loans 90 days past due and still accruing
$
4,486

 
$
3,798

 
$
5,416

As a % of total loans
0.01
%
 
0.01
%
 
0.02
%
Total past due loans and still accruing
$
88,135

 
$
56,927

 
$
54,150

As a % of total loans
0.25
%
 
0.22
%
 
0.22
%
Net charge-offs, quarter
$
17,088

 
$
13,044

 
$
4,280

Net charge-offs/average loans, quarter
0.19
%
 
0.20
%
 
0.07
%
Net charge-offs, year-to-date
$
17,088

 
$
50,410

 
$
4,280

Net charge-offs/average loans, year-to-date
0.19
%
 
0.20
%
 
0.07
%
Provision for loan losses, quarter
$
23,569

 
$
12,148

 
$
12,776

Provision for loan losses, year-to-date
23,569

 
51,697

 
12,776

Allowance for loan losses
257,036

 
250,555

 
257,764

Allowance for loan losses as a % of total loans
0.72
%
 
0.97
%
 
1.04
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) For purposes of this table, March 31, 2019 non-performing loans exclude acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 that are currently accruing income.
(2) Represent only impaired loans that have been specifically identified to be sold. Impaired loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less costs to sell, based primarily on estimated sales proceeds net of selling costs.
Non-performing Assets
Total NPAs were $155.3 million at March 31, 2019, a $40.9 million, or 35.7%, increase from $114.5 million at December 31, 2018 and a $24.1 million, or 18.4%, increase from $131.2 million at March 31, 2018. Total non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans, other loans held for sale, and other real estate were 0.44% at both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and 0.53% at March 31, 2018.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Accruing TDRs were $112.2 at March 31, 2019, compared to $115.6 million at December 31, 2018 and $129.4 million at March 31, 2018. Accruing TDRs decreased $3.4 million, or 2.9%, from December 31, 2018 and $17.2 million, or, 13.3% from a year ago primarily due to more loans qualifying for removal of TDR designation upon subsequent renewal, refinance, or modification, and pay-offs. Non-accruing TDRs were $22.3 million at March 31, 2019 compared to $26.2 million at December 31, 2018.
At March 31, 2019, the allowance for loan losses allocated to these accruing TDRs was $4.7 million compared to $6.1 million at both December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018. Accruing TDRs are considered performing because they are performing in accordance with the restructured terms. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 approximately, 99% and 98%, respectively of accruing TDRs were current. In addition, subsequent defaults on accruing TDRs (defaults defined as the earlier of the TDR being placed on non-accrual status or reaching 90 days past due with respect to principal and/or interest payments within twelve months of the TDR designation) have remained at low levels. There were no defaults for each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

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Table 8 - Accruing TDRs by Risk Grade
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
(dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Pass
$
54,999

 
49.0
%
 
$
50,668

 
43.9
%
 
$
56,924

 
44.0
%
Special Mention
13,188

 
11.8

 
14,480

 
12.5

 
15,429

 
11.9

Substandard accruing
44,018

 
39.2

 
50,440

 
43.6

 
57,041

 
44.1

  Total accruing TDRs
$
112,205

 
100.0
%
 
$
115,588

 
100.0
%
 
$
129,394

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Charge-offs
Net charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $17.1 million, or 0.19% as a percentage of average loans annualized, compared to $13.0 million, or 0.20%, and $4.3 million, or 0.07%, for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in net charge-offs was primarily attributable to a higher level of recoveries in the previous and prior year quarters, with gross charge-offs for the first quarter of 2019 remaining in-line with the fourth quarter of 2018 but slightly elevated from the first quarter of 2018.
Provision for Loan Losses and Allowance for Loan Losses
For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the provision for loan losses was $23.6 million, an increase of $11.4 million, or 94.0%, and $10.8 million, or 84.5%, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2018 and three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in provision expense was driven by an accelerated rate of new and renewed loan production with the addition of FCB, increases to the loan loss reserve, and a lower level of recoveries and upgrades compared to previous quarters in 2018.
The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2019 was $257.0 million, or 0.72% of total loans, compared to $250.6 million, or 0.97% of total loans, at December 31, 2018 and $257.8 million, or 1.04% of total loans, at March 31, 2018, reflecting a lower ratio at March 31, 2019, with no allowance for loan losses recorded for acquired loans at the Acquisition Date in accordance with ASC Topic 820. The allowance to non-performing loans ratio at March 31, 2019 remained strong at 178.53%, or 213.30%, excluding acquired FCB loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 that are currently accruing income as well as acquired FCB loans that are not accruing income, compared to 234.75% at December 31, 2018 and 214.66% at March 31, 2018.

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Capital Resources
Synovus and Synovus Bank are required to comply with capital adequacy standards established by their primary federal regulator, the Federal Reserve. Synovus and Synovus Bank measure capital adequacy using the standardized approach to the Basel III Final Rule. At March 31, 2019, Synovus and Synovus Bank's capital levels remained strong and exceeded well-capitalized requirements currently in effect. The following table presents certain ratios used to measure Synovus and Synovus Bank's capitalization.
Table 9 - Capital Ratios
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
CET1 capital (transitional)
 
 
 
Synovus Financial Corp.
$
3,790,395

 
$
2,897,997

Synovus Bank
4,431,463

 
3,382,497

Tier 1 risk-based capital
 
 
 
Synovus Financial Corp.
3,985,535

 
3,090,416

Synovus Bank
4,431,463

 
3,382,497

Total risk-based capital
 
 
 
Synovus Financial Corp.
4,803,641

 
3,601,376

Synovus Bank
4,689,569

 
3,633,457

CET1 capital ratio (transitional)
 
 
 
Synovus Financial Corp.
9.52
%
 
9.95
%
Synovus Bank
11.13

 
11.62

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
 
 
 
Synovus Financial Corp.
10.01

 
10.61

Synovus Bank
11.13

 
11.62

Total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets ratio
 
 
 
Synovus Financial Corp.
12.06

 
12.37

Synovus Bank
11.78

 
12.49

Leverage ratio
 
 
 
Synovus Financial Corp.
8.81

 
9.60

Synovus Bank
9.80

 
10.51

Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio(1)
 
 
 
Synovus Financial Corp.
8.34

 
8.81

 
 
 
 
(1) See " Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this Report for the applicable reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.
At March 31, 2019, Synovus' CET1 ratio was 9.52% under the Basel III transitional provisions, and the estimated fully phased-in CET1 ratio was 9.48% (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this Report), both of which are well in excess of regulatory requirements including the capital conservation buffer which has now reached the fully-phased in amount of 2.5% effective January 1, 2019. See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 11 - Regulatory Capital" to the consolidated financial statements of Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K for additional information on regulatory capital requirements. Management currently believes, based on internal capital analyses and earnings projections, that Synovus' capital position is adequate to meet current and future regulatory minimum capital requirements inclusive of the capital conservation buffer.
Effective January 1, 2019, Synovus completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of FCB for total consideration of approximately $1.6 billion. See "Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 - Acquisitions" in this Report for more information on the FCB acquisition.
On January 15, 2019, Synovus announced a share repurchase program of up to $400 million to be completed during 2019. As of March 31, 2019, Synovus had repurchased under this program a total of $320.0 million, or 8.5 million shares of its common stock, at an average price of $37.71 per share. As of April 30, 2019, the remaining authorization under this program was $80.0 million. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2018, the Board of Directors approved a 20% increase in the quarterly common stock dividend to $0.30 per share, effective with the quarterly dividend payable in April 2019.
On February 7, 2019, Synovus completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.900% fixed-to-fixed rate subordinated notes due in 2029.

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In December 2018, the federal banking regulators adopted as final the transitional arrangements to permit banking organizations to phase-in the day-one impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13, referred to as the current expected credit loss model, on regulatory capital over a period of three years. For additional information on ASU 2016-13, see "Note 1 - Basis of Presentation" in this Report.
Dividends
Synovus has historically paid a quarterly cash dividend to the holders of its common stock. Management and the Board of Directors closely monitor current and projected capital levels, liquidity (including dividends from subsidiaries), financial markets and other economic trends, as well as regulatory requirements regarding the payment of dividends. Synovus increased the quarterly common stock dividend by 20% to $0.30 per share effective with the quarterly dividend declared during the first quarter of 2019.
Synovus' ability to pay dividends on its common stock and preferred stock is primarily dependent upon dividends and distributions that it receives from its bank and non-banking subsidiaries, which are restricted by various regulations administered by federal and state bank regulatory authorities.
Synovus declared dividends of $0.30 and $0.25 per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition to dividends paid on its common stock, Synovus paid dividends of $3.2 million on its Series D Preferred Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and paid dividends of $2.6 million on its Series C Preferred Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2018.
Liquidity
Liquidity represents the extent to which Synovus has readily available sources of funding needed to meet the needs of depositors, borrowers and creditors, to support asset growth, and to otherwise sustain operations of Synovus and its subsidiaries, at a reasonable cost, on a timely basis, and without adverse consequences. ALCO monitors Synovus' economic, competitive, and regulatory environment and is responsible for measuring, monitoring, and reporting on liquidity and funding risk, interest rate risk, and market risk and has the authority to establish policies relative to these risks. ALCO, operating under liquidity and funding policies approved by the Board of Directors, actively analyzes contractual and anticipated cash flows in order to properly manage Synovus’ liquidity position.
Contractual and anticipated cash flows are analyzed under normal and stressed conditions to determine forward looking liquidity needs and sources. Synovus analyzes liquidity needs under various scenarios of market conditions and operating performance. This analysis includes stress testing and measures expected sources and uses of funds under each scenario. Emphasis is placed on maintaining numerous sources of current and potential liquidity to allow Synovus to meet its obligations to depositors, borrowers, and creditors on a timely basis.
Liquidity is generated primarily through maturities and repayments of loans by customers, maturities and sales of investment securities, deposit growth, and access to sources of funds other than deposits. Management continuously monitors and maintains appropriate levels of liquidity so as to provide adequate funding sources to manage customer deposit withdrawals, loan requests, and funding maturities. Liquidity is also enhanced by the acquisition of new deposits. Each of the local markets monitors deposit flows and evaluates local market conditions in an effort to retain and grow deposits.
Synovus Bank also generates liquidity through the issuance of brokered certificates of deposit and money market accounts. Synovus Bank accesses these funds from a broad geographic base to diversify its sources of funding and liquidity. On September 25, 2017, Synovus Bank completed the Cabela's Transaction and thereby retained WFB's $1.10 billion brokered time deposit portfolio with a weighted average remaining maturity of approximately 2.53 years and a weighted average rate of 1.83 percent (the balance of these deposits at March 31, 2019 was $619.8 million). Synovus Bank has the capacity to access funding through its membership in the FHLB system. At March 31, 2019, based on currently pledged collateral, Synovus Bank had access to incremental funding of $2.52 billion, subject to FHLB credit policies, through utilization of FHLB advances.
In addition to bank level liquidity management, Synovus must manage liquidity at the parent company level for various operating needs including the servicing of debt, the payment of dividends on our common stock and preferred stock, share repurchases, payment of general corporate expenses and potential capital infusions into subsidiaries. The primary source of liquidity for Synovus consists of dividends from Synovus Bank, which is governed by certain rules and regulations of the GA DBF and the Federal Reserve Bank. Synovus' ability to receive dividends from Synovus Bank in future periods will depend on a number of factors, including, without limitation, Synovus Bank's future profits, asset quality, liquidity, and overall condition. In addition, GA DBF rules and related statutes contain limitations on payments of dividends by Synovus without the approval of the GA DBF.
On February 7, 2019, Synovus completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.900% fixed-to-fixed rate subordinated notes due in 2029.  Subject to any redemption prior to February 7, 2029, the notes will bear interest at the rate of 5.900% per annum for the first five years and, thereafter, at a fixed rate which will be 3.379% above the 5-Year Mid-Swap Rate as of the reset date. Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears. The notes will mature on February 7, 2029. Proceeds from these notes were primarily used to repurchase common stock under the current authorization.
Synovus presently believes that the sources of liquidity discussed above, including existing liquid funds on hand, are sufficient to meet its anticipated funding needs. However, if economic conditions were to significantly deteriorate, regulatory capital requirements for Synovus or Synovus Bank were to increase as the result of regulatory directives or otherwise, or Synovus believes it is prudent to enhance current liquidity levels, then Synovus may seek additional liquidity from external sources. See "Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors - Changes in the cost and availability of funding due to changes in the deposit market and credit market may adversely affect our capital resources, liquidity and financial results." of Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K. Furthermore, Synovus may, from time to time, take advantage of attractive market opportunities to refinance its existing debt, redeem its preferred stock, or strengthen its liquidity or capital position.
Earning Assets and Sources of Funds
Average total assets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased $14.55 billion. or 46.6%, to $45.79 billion as compared to $31.25 billion for the first three months of 2018. Average earning assets increased $13.08 billion, or 44.4%, in the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 and represented 92.9% of average total assets at March 31, 2019, as compared to 94.2% at March 31, 2018. The increase in average earning assets resulted from a $10.46 billion increase in average loans, net, and a $2.42 billion increase in average taxable investment securities. These increases were primarily attributable to the $9.29 billion in loans and $2.30 billion in investment securities acquired from FCB.
Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $10.78 billion, or 52.0%, to $31.51 billion for the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The increase in average interest-bearing liabilities was primarily related to the $10.93 billion in deposits acquired from FCB, of which $9.42 billion was interest-bearing. The year-over-year increase in average interest-bearing liabilities included a $5.73 billion increase in average time deposits, a $3.20 billion increase in average money market deposit accounts, a $1.36 billion increase in average interest-bearing demand deposits, a $250.0 million increase in average long-term debt, primarily due to the fixed-to-fixed rate subordinated notes issued in February 2019, and $123.4 million increase in average other short-term borrowings. Average non-interest-bearing demand deposits increased $1.66 billion, or 22.5%, to $9.05 billion for the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, due primarily to the FCB acquisition.
Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $397.2 million, an increase of $122.9 million, or 44.8%, compared to $274.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 driven by the FCB acquisition. Net interest margin was flat at 3.78% over the comparable three-month periods, and was impacted by the FCB merger and three 25 basis point federal funds rate increases since March 31, 2018. The yield on earning assets was 4.80%, an increase of 49 basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, while the effective cost of funds increased 49 basis points to 1.02%. The yield on loans increased 47 basis points to 5.17%, and the yield on investment securities increased 72 basis points to 3.06% over the three months ended March 31, 2018.
On a sequential quarter basis, net interest income increased $99.2 million, or 33.3%, driven by the FCB acquisition. The net interest margin for the quarter was 3.78%, down 14 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2018. Net interest income and margin were favorably impacted by $18.8 million, or 19 basis points, of purchase accounting adjustments. Purchase accounting adjustments are primarily comprised of $7.4 million of loan accretion and $11.0 million of deposit premium amortization in the first quarter of 2019. The sequential quarter decrease in the net interest margin was driven by the FCB merger, the issuance of subordinated debt, and continued deposit mix shift into time deposits. The net interest margin, excluding the impact of purchase accounting adjustments was 3.59% for the first quarter of 2019. The net interest margin decline for the quarter, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, included an 11 basis point increase in earning asset yields and a 25 basis point increase in the effective cost of funds.


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Quarterly yields earned on average interest-earning assets and rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities for the five most recent quarters are presented below.
Table 10 - Average Balances and Yields/Rates
2019
 
2018
(dollars in thousands) (yields and rates annualized)
First Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
First Quarter
Interest Earning Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable investment securities(1)
$
6,515,561

 
4,073,685

 
4,061,239

 
4,077,564

 
4,097,162

Yield
3.05
%
 
2.45

 
2.38

 
2.34

 
2.34

Tax-exempt investment securities(1)(3)
$
20,638

 

 
89

 
115

 
140

Yield (taxable equivalent)(3)
4.45
%
 

 
5.91

 
6.87

 
6.57

Trading account assets(4)
$
2,049

 
7,493

 
16,646

 
23,772

 
8,167

Yield
1.30
%
 
1.90

 
2.52

 
2.79

 
2.66

Commercial loans(2)(3)
$
26,140,672

 
19,150,252

 
19,025,830

 
18,857,271

 
18,963,515

Yield
5.16
%
 
5.13

 
4.98

 
4.85

 
4.64

Consumer loans(2)
$
9,180,679

 
6,476,026

 
6,298,643

 
6,092,899

 
5,899,015

Yield
5.10
%
 
4.85

 
4.80

 
4.76

 
4.71

Allowance for loan losses
$
(252,815
)
 
(251,098
)
 
(251,684
)
 
(257,966
)
 
(251,635
)
    Loans, net(2)
$
35,068,536

 
25,375,180

 
25,072,789

 
24,692,204

 
24,610,895

Yield
5.17
%
 
5.11

 
4.99

 
4.88

 
4.70

Mortgage loans held for sale
$
34,913

 
36,477

 
49,030

 
50,366

 
38,360

Yield
4.48
%
 
4.79

 
4.71

 
4.42

 
3.95

Other earning assets(5)
$
679,477

 
641,832

 
544,704

 
724,537

 
516,575

Yield
2.45
%
 
2.20

 
1.90

 
1.77

 
1.48

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Stock(4)
$
211,408

 
162,369

 
163,568

 
165,845

 
177,381

Yield
4.82
%
 
4.31

 
4.41

 
4.63

 
3.39

Total interest earning assets
$
42,532,582

 
30,297,036

 
29,908,065

 
29,734,403

 
29,448,680

Yield
4.80
%
 
4.69

 
4.58

 
4.47

 
4.31

Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing demand deposits
$
6,393,304

 
4,692,804

 
4,701,204

 
5,001,826

 
5,032,000

Rate
0.68
%
 
0.41

 
0.38

 
0.35

 
0.31

Money Market accounts, excluding brokered deposits
$
10,244,556

 
8,050,732

 
7,936,621

 
7,791,107

 
7,561,554

Rate
1.18
%
 
0.89

 
0.72

 
0.55

 
0.43

Savings deposits
$
901,059

 
815,588

 
824,935

 
829,800

 
811,587

Rate
0.06
%
 
0.04

 
0.03

 
0.03

 
0.03

Time deposits under $100,000
$
2,238,568

 
1,242,811

 
1,205,987

 
1,161,890

 
1,143,780

Rate
1.24
%
 
1.16

 
0.99

 
0.82

 
0.71

Time deposits over $100,000
$
6,211,067

 
2,478,649

 
2,273,582

 
2,021,084

 
1,895,545

Rate
1.60
%
 
1.67

 
1.46

 
1.22

 
1.02

Non-maturing brokered deposits
$
937,629

 
349,480

 
358,277

 
262,976

 
424,118

Rate
2.60
%
 
2.46

 
2.10

 
1.94

 
1.14

Brokered time deposits
$
1,845,819

 
1,275,276

 
1,414,700

 
1,659,941

 
1,527,793

Rate
2.13
%
 
2.03

 
1.94

 
1.85

 
1.75

   Total interest-bearing deposits
$
28,772,002

 
18,905,340

 
18,715,306

 
18,728,624

 
18,396,377

Rate
1.24
%
 
0.96

 
0.83

 
0.70

 
0.58

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
$
233,076

 
194,370

 
230,504

 
207,655

 
202,226

Rate
0.22
%
 
0.18

 
0.25

 
0.35

 
0.21

Other short-term borrowings
$
517,456

 
112,228

 
146,794

 
3,024

 
394,056

Rate
2.58
%
 
2.51

 
2.12

 
2.84

 
1.52

Long-term debt
$
1,983,910

 
1,657,022

 
1,656,743

 
1,852,094

 
1,733,938

Rate
3.33
%
 
3.06

 
2.87

 
2.66

 
2.51

Total interest-bearing liabilities
$
31,506,444

 
20,868,960


20,749,347


20,791,397


20,726,597

Rate
1.38
%
 
1.12

 
0.99

 
0.87

 
0.76

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
$
9,054,949

 
8,014,761

 
7,672,006

 
7,539,451

 
7,391,695

Cost of funds
1.07
%
 
0.81

 
0.73

 
0.64

 
0.56

Effective cost of funds(6)
1.02
%
 
0.77

 
0.69

 
0.61

 
0.53

Net interest margin
3.78
%
 
3.92

 
3.89

 
3.86

 
3.78

Taxable equivalent adjustment(3)
$
630

 
181

 
136

 
120

 
116

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Excludes net unrealized gains (losses).
(2) Average loans are shown net of deferred fees and costs. Non-performing loans are included.
(3)  
Reflects taxable-equivalent adjustments, using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, in adjusting interest on tax-exempt loans and investment securities to a taxable-equivalent basis.
(4)  
Included as a component of other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
(5)  
Includes interest-bearing funds with Federal Reserve Bank, interest earning deposits with banks, and federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements.
(6) Includes the impact of non-interest-bearing capital funding sources.

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Net Interest Income and Rate/Volume Analysis
The following tables set forth the major components of net interest income and the related annualized yields and rates for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, as well as the variances between the periods caused by changes in interest rates versus changes in volume.
Table 11 - Net Interest Income and Rate/Volume Analysis
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019 Compared to 2018
 
Average Balances
 
Interest
 
Annualized Yield/Rate
 
Change due to
 
Increase (Decrease)
(dollars in thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable investment securities
$
6,515,561

 
$
4,097,162

 
$
49,756

 
$
23,929

 
3.05
%
 
2.34
%
 
$
13,954

 
$
11,873

 
$
25,827

Tax-exempt investment securities(2)
20,638

 
140

 
230

 
2

 
4.45

 
6.57

 
332

 
(104
)
 
228

Total investment securities
6,536,199

 
4,097,302

 
49,986

 
23,931

 
3.06

 
2.34

 
14,286

 
11,769

 
26,055

Trading account assets
2,049

 
8,167

 
7

 
54

 
1.30

 
2.66

 
(40
)
 
(7
)
 
(47
)
Taxable loans, net(1)
34,987,418

 
24,810,104

 
445,602

 
284,919

 
5.17

 
4.66

 
116,942

 
43,741

 
160,683

Tax-exempt loans, net(1)(2)
333,933

 
52,426

 
2,770

 
552

 
3.36

 
4.27

 
2,964

 
(746
)
 
2,218

Allowance for loan losses
(252,815
)
 
(251,635
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans, net
35,068,536

 
24,610,895

 
448,372

 
285,471

 
5.17

 
4.70

 
119,906


42,995

 
162,901

Mortgage loans held for sale
34,913

 
38,360

 
391

 
379

 
4.48

 
3.95

 
(34
)
 
46

 
12

Other earning assets(3)
679,477

 
516,575

 
4,164

 
1,914

 
2.45

 
1.48

 
591

 
1,659

 
2,250

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
211,408

 
177,381

 
2,549

 
1,501

 
4.82

 
3.39

 
285

 
763

 
1,048

  Total interest earning assets
42,532,582


29,448,680

 
505,469


313,250

 
4.80

 
4.31

 
134,994


57,225


192,219

Cash and due from banks
519,073

 
398,865

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premises and equipment, net
479,200

 
426,902

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other real estate
14,078

 
3,785

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
764,590

 
541,465

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other assets(4)
1,485,098

 
426,011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
45,794,621


$
31,245,708

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing demand deposits
$
6,393,304

 
$
5,032,000

 
$
10,681

 
$
3,814

 
0.68
%
 
0.31
%
 
$
1,041

 
$
5,826

 
$
6,867

Money market accounts
11,182,186

 
7,985,672

 
35,833

 
9,152

 
1.30

 
0.46

 
3,626

 
23,055

 
26,681

Savings deposits
901,059

 
811,587

 
138

 
59

 
0.06

 
0.03

 
7

 
72

 
79

Time deposits
10,295,454

 
4,567,118

 
41,032

 
13,350

 
1.62

 
1.19

 
16,808

 
10,874

 
27,682

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
233,076

 
202,226

 
127

 
107

 
0.22

 
0.21

 
16

 
4

 
20

Other short-term borrowings
517,456

 
394,056

 
3,336

 
1,494

 
2.58

 
1.52

 
463

 
1,379

 
1,842

Long-term debt
1,983,910

 
1,733,938

 
16,517

 
10,874

 
3.33

 
2.51

 
1,547

 
4,096

 
5,643

Total interest-bearing liabilities
31,506,445


20,726,597

 
107,664

 
38,850

 
1.38

 
0.76

 
23,508


45,306


68,814

Non-interest-bearing deposits
9,054,949

 
7,391,695

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
716,527

 
210,558

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity
4,516,700

 
2,916,858

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and equity
$
45,794,621


$
31,245,708

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate spread:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.42
%
 
3.55
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income - FTE/margin(5)
 
 
 
 
$
397,805

 
$
274,400

 
3.78
%
 
3.78
%
 
$
111,486


$
11,919


$
123,405

Taxable equivalent adjustment
 
 
 
 
630

 
116

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Net interest income, actual
 
 
 
 
$
397,175

 
$
274,284

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Average loans are shown net of unearned income. Non-performing loans are included. Interest income includes fees as follows: 2019 - $8.2 million, 2018 - $7.9 million.
(2) Reflects taxable-equivalent adjustments, using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, in adjusting interest on tax-exempt loans and investment securities to a taxable-equivalent basis.
(3) Includes interest-bearing funds with Federal Reserve Bank, interest earning deposits with banks, and federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements.
(4) Includes average net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale of $(85.6) million and $(100.6) million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(5) The net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income - FTE by average total interest earnings assets.

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Market Risk Analysis
Interest rate risk is the primary market risk to which Synovus is potentially exposed. Synovus measures its sensitivity to changes in market interest rates through the use of a simulation model. Synovus uses this simulation model to determine a baseline net interest income forecast and the sensitivity of this forecast to changes in interest rates. These simulations include all of Synovus’ earning assets and liabilities. Forecasted balance sheet changes, primarily reflecting loan and deposit growth forecasts, are included in the periods modeled. Anticipated deposit mix changes in each interest rate scenario are also included in the periods modeled. Assumptions utilized in the model are updated on an ongoing basis and are reviewed and approved by ALCO and the Risk Committee of the Board of Directors.
Synovus has modeled its baseline net interest income forecast assuming a flat interest rate environment with the federal funds rate at the Federal Reserve’s current targeted range of 2.25% to 2.50% and the current prime rate of 5.50%. Synovus has modeled the impact of a gradual increase in short-term rates of 100 and 200 basis points and a gradual decline of 100 and 200 basis points to determine the sensitivity of net interest income for the next twelve months. Synovus continues to maintain a modestly asset-sensitive position which would be expected to benefit net interest income in a rising interest rate environment and reduce net interest income in a declining interest rate environment. The following table represents the estimated sensitivity of net interest income to these changes in short-term interest rates at March 31, 2019, with comparable information for December 31, 2018.
 
Table 12 - Twelve Month Net Interest Income Sensitivity(1)
 
 
 
Estimated % Change in Net Interest Income as Compared to Unchanged Rates (for the next twelve months)
 
 
Change in Short-term Interest Rates (in basis points)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
+200
 
2.2%
 
3.4%
 
+100
 
1.6%
 
2.0%
 
Flat
 
—%
 
—%
 
-100
 
(1.8)%
 
(2.0)%
 
-200
 
(4.5)%
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) December 31, 2018 does not include assets and liabilities of FCB which were acquired on January 1, 2019.
The net interest income simulation model is the primary tool utilized to evaluate potential interest rate risks over a shorter term time horizon. Synovus also evaluates potential longer term interest rate risk through modeling and evaluation of EVE. Simulation modeling is utilized to measure the economic value of equity and its sensitivity to immediate changes in interest rates. This EVE modeling allows Synovus to capture longer-term repricing risk and options risk embedded in the balance sheet. These simulations value only the current balance sheet and do not incorporate growth assumptions used in the net interest income simulation. The economic value of equity is the net fair value of assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet financial instruments derived from the present value of future cash flows discounted at current market interest rates. From this baseline valuation, Synovus evaluates changes in the value of each of these items in various interest rate scenarios to determine the net impact on the economic value of equity. Key assumptions utilized in the model, namely loan prepayments, investment security prepayments, deposit repricing betas, and non-maturity deposit duration have a significant impact on the results of the EVE simulations. As illustrated in the table below, the EVE model indicates that, compared with a valuation assuming stable rates, EVE is projected to decrease by 3.9% and by 9.3%, assuming an immediate and sustained increase in interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points, respectively. Assuming an immediate 100 basis point and 200 basis point decline in rates, EVE is projected to decrease by 7.3% and 20.0%, respectively. These changes in long-term interest rate sensitivity are primarily due to the impact of the acquisition of FCB.
Table 13 - Economic Value of Sensitivity(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated Change in EVE
Immediate Change in Interest Rates (in basis points)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
+200
 
(9.3)%
 
0.7%
+100
 
(3.9)%
 
1.3%
-100
 
(7.3)%
 
(13.9)%
-200
 
(20.0)%
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
(1) December 31, 2018 does not include assets and liabilities of FCB which were acquired on January 1, 2019.

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







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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The measures entitled adjusted non-interest income; adjusted non-interest expense; adjusted total revenues; adjusted tangible efficiency ratio; adjusted net income per common share, diluted; adjusted return on average assets; adjusted return on average common equity; adjusted return on average tangible common equity; total core deposits; tangible common equity ratio; and CET1 ratio (fully phased-in) are not measures recognized under GAAP and therefore are considered non-GAAP financial measures. The most comparable GAAP measures to these measures are total non-interest income; total non-interest expense; total revenues; efficiency ratio; net income per common share, diluted; return on average assets; return on average common equity; total deposits; the ratio of total shareholders' equity to total assets; and the CET1 ratio, respectively.
Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful additional information about Synovus to assist management and investors in evaluating Synovus’ operating results, financial strength, the performance of its business, and the strength of its capital position. However, these non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of operating results or capital position as reported under GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as additional views of the way our financial measures are affected by significant items and other factors, and since they are not required to be uniformly applied, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures at other companies. Adjusted total revenues and adjusted non-interest income are measures used by management to evaluate non-interest income exclusive of net investment securities gains (losses) and changes in fair value of private equity investments, net. Adjusted non-interest expense and the adjusted tangible efficiency ratio are measures utilized by management to measure the success of expense management initiatives focused on reducing recurring controllable operating costs. Adjusted net income per common share, diluted, adjusted return on average assets, and adjusted return on average common equity are measurements used by management to evaluate operating results exclusive of items that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operations and impact period-to-period comparisons. The adjusted return on average tangible common equity is a measure used by management to compare Synovus' performance with other financial institutions because it calculates the return available to common shareholders without the impact of intangible assets and their related amortization, thereby allowing management to evaluate the performance of the business consistently. Total core deposits is a measure used by management to evaluate organic growth of deposits and the quality of deposits as a funding source. The tangible common equity ratio and CET1 ratio (fully phased-in) are used by management and bank regulators to assess the strength of our capital position. The computations of these measures are set forth in the tables below.
Table 14 - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
Adjusted non-interest income
 
 
 
Total non-interest income
$
79,378

 
$
67,046

Subtract: Investment securities gains, net
(75
)
 

Subtract/add: (Increase) decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net
(858
)
 
3,056

     Adjusted non-interest income
$
78,445

 
$
70,102

 
 
 
 
Adjusted non-interest expense
 
 
 
Total non-interest expense
$
292,410

 
$
195,179

Subtract: Merger-related expense
(49,738
)
 

Add: Litigation settlement/contingency expense

 
2,626

Subtract/add: Restructuring charges, net
(19
)
 
315

Adjusted non-interest expense
$
242,653

 
$
198,120

 
 
 
 

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Table of Contents

Table 14 - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, continued

Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
Adjusted total revenues and adjusted tangible efficiency ratio
 
 
 
Adjusted non-interest expense
$
242,653

 
$
198,120

Subtract: Amortization of intangibles
(3,392
)
 
(292
)
Adjusted tangible non-interest expense
$
239,261

 
$
197,828

 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
397,175

 
$
274,284

Add: Tax equivalent adjustment
630

 
116

Add: Total non-interest income
79,378

 
67,046

Subtract: Investment securities gains, net
(75
)
 

Total FTE revenues
$
477,108

 
$
341,446

Subtract/add: (Increase) decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net
(858
)
 
3,056

Adjusted total revenues
$
476,250

 
$
344,502

Efficiency ratio
61.29
%
 
57.16
%
 Adjusted tangible efficiency ratio
50.24

 
57.42

 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income per common share, diluted
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
117,036

 
$
100,607

Add: Income tax expense, net related to State Tax Reform

 
1,325

Add: Merger-related expense
49,738

 

Subtract: Litigation settlement/contingency expense

 
(2,626
)
Add/subtract: Restructuring charges, net
19

 
(315
)
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net
(75
)
 

Subtract/add: (Increase) decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net
(858
)
 
3,056

Subtract: Tax effect of adjustments
(5,705
)
 
(27
)
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders
$
160,155

 
$
102,020

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted
162,760

 
119,321

Adjusted net income per common share, diluted
$
0.98

 
$
0.86

 
 
 
 



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Table 14 - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, continued
 
Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
Adjusted return on average assets (annualized)
 
 
 
Net income
$
120,186

 
$
103,166

Add: Income tax expense, net related to State Tax Reform

 
1,325

Add: Merger-related expense
49,738

 

Subtract: Litigation settlement/contingency expense

 
(2,626
)
Add/subtract: Restructuring charges, net
19

 
(315
)
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net
(75
)
 

Subtract/add: (Increase) decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net
(858
)
 
3,056

Subtract: Tax effect of adjustments
(5,705
)
 
(27
)
Adjusted net income
$
163,305

 
$
104,579

Net income annualized
487,421

 
418,395

Adjusted net income annualized
662,293

 
424,126

Total average assets
45,794,621

 
31,245,708

Return on average assets
1.06
%
 
1.34
%
Adjusted return on average assets (annualized)
1.45

 
1.36

 
 
 
 

 
Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
Adjusted return on average common equity and adjusted return on average tangible common equity (annualized)
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
117,036

 
$
101,919

 
$
100,607

Add: Income tax expense, net related to State Tax Reform

 

 
1,325

Add: Merger-related expense
49,738

 
3,381

 

Subtract: Litigation settlement/contingency expense

 

 
(2,626
)
Add/subtract: Restructuring charges, net
19

 
140

 
(315
)
Subtract: Investment securities gains, net
(75
)
 

 

Subtract/add: (Increase) decrease in fair value of private equity investments, net
(858
)
 
2,084

 
3,056

Subtract: Tax effect of adjustments
(5,705
)
 
(522
)
 
(27
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
160,155

 
$
107,002

 
$
102,020

 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders' annualized
$
649,518

 
$
424,519

 
$
413,747

Add: Amortization of intangibles
10,317

 
886

 
906

Adjusted net income available to common shareholders excluding amortization of intangibles annualized
$
659,835


$
425,405


$
414,653

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total average shareholders' equity less preferred stock
$
4,321,561

 
$
2,837,740

 
$
2,790,878

Subtract: Goodwill
(480,215
)
 
(57,315
)
 
(57,315
)
Subtract: Other intangible assets, net
(75,191
)
 
(9,972
)
 
(10,915
)
Total average tangible shareholders' equity less preferred stock
$
3,766,155

 
$
2,770,453

 
$
2,722,648

Return on average common equity (annualized)
10.98
%
 
14.25
%
 
14.62
%
Adjusted return on average common equity (annualized)
15.03

 
14.96

 
14.82

Adjusted return on average tangible common equity (annualized)
17.52

 
15.36

 
15.23

 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents

Table 14 - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, continued
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
Period-end core deposits
 
 
 
 
 
Total deposits
$
38,075,190

 
$
26,720,322

 
$
26,253,507

Subtract: Brokered deposits
(2,709,004
)
 
(1,548,030
)
 
(2,006,577
)
Total core deposits
$
35,366,186

 
$
25,172,292

 
$
24,246,930

 
 
 
 
 
 
Tangible common equity ratio
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
46,630,025

 
$
32,669,192

 
$
31,501,028

Subtract: Goodwill
(485,000
)
 
(57,315
)
 
(57,315
)
Subtract: Other intangible assets, net
(74,683
)
 
(9,875
)
 
(10,750
)
Tangible assets
$
46,070,342

 
$
32,602,002

 
$
31,432,963

Total shareholders' equity
$
4,597,753

 
$
3,133,602

 
$
2,956,495

Subtract: Goodwill
(485,000
)
 
(57,315
)
 
(57,315
)
Subtract: Other intangible assets, net
(74,683
)
 
(9,875
)
 
(10,750
)
Subtract: Preferred Stock, no par value
(195,140
)
 
(195,140
)
 
(125,980
)
Tangible common equity
$
3,842,930

 
$
2,871,272

 
$
2,762,450

Total shareholders' equity to total assets ratio
9.86
%
 
9.59
%
 
9.39
%
Tangible common equity ratio
8.34

 
8.81

 
8.79

 
 
 
 
 
 
CET1 ratio (fully phased-in)
 
 
 
 
 
CET1
$
3,790,395

 
 
 
 
Total risk-weighted assets
39,827,136

 
 
 
 
Total risk-weighted assets (fully phased-in)
39,994,724

 
 
 
 
CET1 ratio
9.52
%
 
 
 


     CET1 ratio (fully phased-in)
9.48

 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 




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Table of Contents

ITEM 3. – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information presented in the Market Risk Analysis section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out by Synovus' management, with the participation of Synovus' Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of Synovus' disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on that evaluation, Synovus' Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2019, Synovus' disclosure controls and procedures were effective.     
There have been no material changes in Synovus' internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Synovus' internal control over financial reporting.


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Table of Contents

PART II. – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Synovus and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and disputes that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Additionally, in the ordinary course of its business, Synovus and its subsidiaries are subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, inquiries and investigations. Synovus, like many other financial institutions, has been the target of legal actions and other proceedings asserting claims for damages and related relief for losses. These actions include mortgage loan and other loan put-back claims, claims and counterclaims asserted by individual borrowers related to their loans and allegations of violations of state and federal laws and regulations relating to banking practices, including putative class action matters. In addition to actual damages, if Synovus does not prevail in such asserted legal actions, credit-related litigation could result in additional write-downs or charge-offs of assets, which could adversely affect Synovus' results of operations during the period in which the write-down or charge-off were to occur.
Based on Synovus' current knowledge and advice of counsel, management presently does not believe that the liabilities arising from these legal matters will have a material adverse effect of Synovus' consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these legal matters could have a material adverse effect on Synovus' results of operations and financial condition for any particular period. For additional information, see "Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies" of this Report, which Note in incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM 1A. – RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this Report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in "Part I - Item IA - Risk Factors” of Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K which could materially affect its business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or future results. Please be aware that these risks may change over time and other risks may prove to be important in the future. New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, or the trading price of our securities.
There are no material changes during the period covered by this Report to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Synovus' 2018 Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. – UNREGISTERED SALES OF SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(a) None.
(b) None.
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:
Synovus' Board of Directors authorized a $400 million share repurchase program that will expire at the end of 2019. This program was announced on January 15, 2019. The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the first quarter of 2019.
Share Repurchases
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Total Number of Shares Repurchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share(1)
 
Total Number
of Shares Repurchased as
Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Approximate
Dollar Value
of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
January 2019
 
350

 
$
36.18

 
350

 
$
387,337

February 2019
 
7,020

 
37.51

 
7,020

 
123,985

March 2019
 
1,115

 
39.45

 
1,115

 
80,002

Total
 
8,485

 
$
37.71

 
8,485

 

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

The foregoing repurchases during the first quarter of 2019 were purchased through open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act.
ITEM 3. – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
ITEM 5. – OTHER INFORMATION
None.

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ITEM 6. – EXHIBITS  
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
2.1

 
 
 
 
3.1

 
 
 
 
3.2

 
 
 
 
3.3

 
 
 
 
3.4

 
 
 
 
3.5

 
 
 
 
3.6

 
 
 
10.1

 
 
 
 
31.1

 
 
 
 
31.2

 
 
 
 
32

 
 
 
 
101

 
Interactive Data File
 
 
 

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

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


66