Total System Services, Inc.® Unveils Newly Designed Stored Value Platform

TSYS Offers Fully-Integrated Solution from Issuance to Customer Care

Columbus, GA., June 20, 2000 -- Total System Services, Inc.® (TSYS®) (NYSE: "TSS") today announced a newly designed platform geared toward stored value markets. Stored value issuers include banks, retailers and other businesses not historically associated with cards such as insurance companies and employers who wish to deliver electronic payment solutions to their employees.

The TSYS Stored Value Platform leverages existing market infrastructure, host-based, magnetic stripe technology and provides unsurpassed market entry for issuers with little impact to existing market structure. With the TSYS Stored Value Platform, the value of the card resides on the host system, not on the plastic, reducing fraud risk and exposure. As the card is used, its value declines to zero. With real time account creation and 24X7 system availability, TSYS provides all players in any prepaid market a superior processing solution. The TSYS Stored Value Platform offers full integration with Internet applications and supports multiple products including teen, gift, payroll, relocation, web, claims, loyalty and general-purpose accounts.

The TSYS stored value program is unique in the industry in that it offers end-to-end solutions under one umbrella. Clients have one point of contact for all facets of the program—from card issuance to Web site hosting. Through the TSYS family of companies and strategically selected partners, TSYS provides the following stored value solutions:

  • Card Issuance
  • Account Processing
  • Cash Management
  • Rewards and Loyalty
  • Web Site Hosting
  • Transaction Authorization
  • Merchant Processing
  • Customer Servicing
  • Call Center Support
  • Plastic Production
  • Fulfillment Services

The TSYS Stored Value Platform captures important consumer purchasing and redemption patterns with its extensive authorization and reporting features and addresses the need for speed to market, flexible product management options, targeted authorizations and detailed reporting. TSYS’ authorization and reporting features document where and how money is spent, while cardholders gain the flexibility and convenience of using a card instead of carrying cash or writing checks.

TSYS Group Executive, Debra Wohlrab said, "Nearly two years ago TSYS realized the possibilities of the stored value market and as a result, began work on its newly released stored value platform, a single solution capable of supporting all stored value and loyalty card program initiatives. In true TSYS form, the solution allows expedient program delivery to market while maximizing client options." Ms. Wohlrab leads TSYS’ Pre-funded Products Group.

The stored value market is continuing to experience rapid growth as retailers and employers alike expand their use of prepaid cards. Employers are using stored value products to deliver commissions, bonuses, incentives and relocation expenses to employees. Insurance companies are also using stored value products to disperse claim monies, while retailers use the stored value products as a way to build brand awareness and customer loyalty.

Since their introduction, stored value cards—most notably gift cards—have received ready acceptance from consumers. An estimated 850 million gift cards will be in circulation by the year 2005. Additionally, an estimated 16 percent of all online purchasing is expected to occur with stored value cards by 2003.

About TSYS:

TSYS provides global commerce solutions. With more than 179 million accounts on file, TSYS facilitates the payment exchange between buyers and sellers for approximately 250 million consumers. Our systems capture and deliver more of the right information to our clients allowing them to make wiser business decisions, currently yielding portfolio growth more than twice the industry average. TSYS and its family of companies offer a full range of business services from credit applications to collections, allowing our clients to focus on building their brands and managing their portfolios. Based in Columbus, Ga., TSYS (www.totalsystem.com) (NYSE:"TSS") is an 80.8 percent-owned subsidiary of Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE: "SNV") (www.synovus.com), No. 5 on Fortune magazine’s list of "The 100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2000.

Contacts:
Kimberly Knight
Corporate Communications Specialist
ph. (706) 644-1218
kiknight@totalsystem.com

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