Synovus Named to Working Mother Magazine’s List of "100 Best Companies For Working Mothers"

Columbus, Ga., October 9, 2001 — For the second year, Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE: "SNV") has been named to Working Mother magazine’s annual listing of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers." The list is a compilation of companies that recognize the value and needs of working families. The complete list and company highlights are published in the October issue of Working Mother. The list can also be found online at www.workingmother.com. Earlier this year, Synovus was also named #8 on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America."

"Every day, we see thousands of layoffs, and those who remain work longer and harder hours with fewer resources. Technology allows us – expects us – to work 24/7, 55% of workers feel overwhelmed by the amount of responsibilities, and working mothers continue to be hit the hardest," says Carol Evans, CEO/President for Working Mother Media, which publishes Working Mother. "But savvy companies like Synovus understand that human resources are their most valuable, and that employees need solutions to make juggling work and home easier."

"In a social and economic environment where so many things are uncertain, it is more important than ever that the team members of Synovus and the employees of companies throughout the country know that they are cared for," said James H. Blanchard, Chairman and CEO of Synovus Financial Corp. "Enabling our working mothers to be productive, valued and rewarded while also caring for their families is one of our primary missions as an employer of choice."

This year, significant changes in the already-extensive application process focused on how well companies are providing benefits to workers at lower income and job levels. According to Working Mother Editor Sharlene Breakey, the equitable distribution of flexibility and perks is an ongoing challenge for companies. "This year, we truly raised the standards, evaluating companies on how "deeply" benefits are available in addition to the traditional scoring for (a) percentage of women in workforce, (b) child care support, (c) flexibility, (d) leave for new parents, (e) work/life balance and (f) advancement of women," Breakey explains. "The 2001 list of 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers truly represents the best of the best."

About Working Mother
Working Mother magazine, founded in 1979, reaches more than 3 million readers each month, and is the only national business magazine written for executive and entrepreneurial mothers. Its signature "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" has been issued for the past 16 years. Working Mother is published by Working Mother Media, which also operates Working Woman magazine, the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) and its Executive Female bimonthly, and the annual Work-Life Congress.

About Synovus Financial Corp.
Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE: "SNV") is a multi-financial services company with more than $15 billion in assets. Based in Columbus, Ga., Synovus is composed of 39 banks in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Florida; an 80.8-percent stake in TSYS (NYSE: "TSS") (www.tsys.com), one of the world’s leading payment services providers; DotsConnect (www.dotsconnect.com), which delivers and hosts online credit card management solutions; Synovus Wealth Management, a marketing unit for securities, trust, insurance and private banking services; Synovus Mortgage Corp.; and Synovus Leasing Services. See Synovus on the Web at www.synovus.com.

Contacts:
Rob Ward
Synovus Financial Corp.
Director of Communications
(706) 649-2531