Total System Services, Inc.® Ready for Y2K

Clients Operating on "Fixed" Code Since July, 1998

Columbus, Ga., October 14, 1999 – After 315,218 man hours of work (the equivalent of one person working 152 years), three rounds of testing with clients, and extensive internal testing, Total System Services, Inc.® (TSYS®) (NYSE: "TSS"), today announced that its systems are ready for the century rollover date. In short, TSYS is Y2K OK.

TSYS Chairman of the Board and CEO Richard W. Ussery said, "On behalf of our 3,300 team members, I am delighted to report that TSYS is ready for Y2K. We have worked hard to ensure a smooth transition into the new millennium, and are pleased with the results of our preparation."

Part of the Company's preparation was to design the TS2 Processing System to be year 2000 compliant six years ago. And with 71.9 percent of the accounts on file operating on TS2 (143.3 million of 199.3 million card accounts processed), TSYS concentrated on updating its legacy systems, testing all systems, and implementing contingency plans. In fact, TSYS' clients have operated on "fixed" or remediated code since July 1998. With coding completed, the Company's Year 2000 Task Force is engaged in role-plays and simulations of the millennium roll-over weekend.

In a recent New York Times article regarding Y2K testing, TSYS Senior Vice President Mary Stewart, who spearheads TSYS’ Y2K efforts, commented, "We've had to change less than one percent of our programs after testing."

As a member of the Financial Readiness Consortium, TSYS successfully tested interoperability with the telecommunications industry. Additionally, TSYS suppliers provided letters of certification. All 67 vendors supplying 198 mainframe products have communicated their compliance. In addition, TSYS diligently examined and tested personal computer applications and software products.

Stewart continued, "By August 1999, we completed all personal computer testing and upgraded, replaced or removed from inventory all non-compliant software. During the heightened awareness period, December 31, 1999, through January 5, 2000, TSYS will have critical areas staffed 24-hours a day. A central command center will be established to oversee the event weekend and 12 sub-command posts will be initiated to supervise the century transition from a departmental level. In addition, a recorded phone line, dedicated to periodic updates, will provide clients with the most current processing status at TSYS and global reports on any Y2K issues.

Highlights of TSYS' Year 2000 Readiness efforts:

  • Met federal milestones and examined by federal regulators
  • Hosted three client Y2K Forums
  • Developed Y2K Web site and monthly Update 2000 newsletter for clients
  • Completed Contingency Plan
  • Conducted two validation tests consisting of a walk-through and role-play
  • Hosted Y2K Internet threaded discussions with clients

TSYS is a global processor of data, transactions and payments for credit, debit, commercial and private-label card issuers. TSYS’ sophisticated systems offer online accounting, data processing, electronic commerce services, portfolio management, account acquisition, credit evaluation, risk management and customer service. Through its family of companies, TSYS services the entire lifecycle of accounts, processing more than 199.3 million accounts for an estimated 279 million cardholders who use their cards anytime, anywhere. Headquartered in Columbus, Ga., TSYS (www.totalsystem.com) is an 80.8 percent owned subsidiary of Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE: "SNV") (www.synovus.com) named the Best Company to Work for in America by FORTUNE magazine.

* This Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure is being provided pursuant to the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, Public Law 105-271, and solely for informational purposes.

Contacts:
Danita Gibson-Lloyd
Corporate Communications Manager
ph. (706) 649-5578
dglloyd@totalsystem.com

Renee Nolan
Y2K Project Office
ph. (706) 649-5363
rnolan@totalsystem.com