TSYS Closes in on 2003 Goals for International Revenues

New Group Executive Will Lead International Efforts

Columbus, Ga., Jan. 31, 2002 - TSYS today announced that 2001 revenues from international operations increased to 13.2% of consolidated revenues, a significant milestone in the Company's three-year plan for international revenues to represent 20% of the Company's total revenues by 2003. In 2001, revenues from international operations increased 55.4% over the prior year. 

TSYS also announced the promotion of Bruce Bacon, the former managing director of TSYS Europe, to group executive. Bacon is responsible for all corporate international expansion initiatives. He succeeds Lynn Drury, a 12-year TSYS veteran, who will retire effective Feb. 28.

 "We expect to consummate agreements with European issuers this year," said Richard W. Ussery, chairman of the board and CEO of TSYS. "Reaction to our global system, TS2, has been extremely favorable because it combines the best of US and European functionality on one platform, making it a tremendous draw for our active prospect list."

TSYS successfully completed conversions for its first European clients and adapted its systems to accommodate the Euro in 2001, events that are expected to bring expanded opportunities. TSYS currently provides processing services for five European banks.

Credit cards represent 29 percent of Europe's card market. Card usage and credit volumes are projected to grow significantly in the European Union, and transaction volumes are growing 20 percent a year.

TSYS continues building relationships in the Asia-Pacific region through TSYS Japan. The Company expects to complete development of country-specific localization requirements to service Oriental languages in 2002.

Growth potential is abundant in the Asia-Pacific. In Japan alone, more than 200 million cards are in circulation - more per capita than the US. In total, there are 407 million cards in that region.

As group executive, Bacon will direct all activities related to issuer and acquirer processing, business development and operational management for all global regions, excluding the United States and Canada. Bacon will also direct Japan's GP Network Corporation, a payments gateway for more than 100,000 merchants and their banking partners in Japan, and the issuing business development initiatives originating from TSYS Japan in Tokyo. Bacon will report to M. Troy Woods, executive vice president of TSYS.

Bacon served as managing director of TSYS Europe since its inception in 1999.  He has achieved more than 20 years' experience in international business, finance, administration and project management. Bacon joined TSYS in 1996 as vice president; international operations; where he worked closely with TSYS de México and reported to Lynn Drury. Bacon earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Columbus State University in Cols., Ga., and completed the ABA National School of Bank Card Management.

International Expansion Milestones:

• 1994 - Formed TSYS de Mexico SA de C.V., a joint venture with Controladora Prosa. 
• 1995 - Began processing for multiple issuers and acquirers in México
• 1997 - Opened office in Canada.
• 1999 - Began processing for 15 countries in the Caribbean.
• 1999 - Opened TSYS Europe in London.
• 2000 - Purchased majority ownership in GP Net in Japan, the second-largest card market in the world.
• 2000 - Opened TSYS Japan in Tokyo.
• 2001 - Opened European Data Center in Harrogate, England and Customer Service Center in York, England.
• 2001 - Successfully converted the Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Allied Irish Banks.

About TSYS
TSYS ("TSS") (www.tsys.com) brings integrity and innovation to the world of electronic payments. TSYS serves as the integral link between buyers and sellers in the rapidly evolving universe of electronic payments. With more than 218 million accounts on file, TSYS makes it possible for millions of consumers to use their credit, debit, stored value, commercial, smart and retail cards any time, anywhere and through any medium or portal. TSYS and its family of companies offer a full range of acquiring and issuing services, from accepting and settling electronic payments for goods and services to credit applications, bankruptcy and collections. Based in Columbus, Ga., TSYS serves companies in 23 countries, 14 currencies and four languages. TSYS maintains operations in Canada, Mexico, Japan and Europe and is an 81.1-percent-owned subsidiary of Synovus Financial Corp. ("SNV") (www.synovus.com), No. 5 on FORTUNE magazine's list of "The 100 Best Companies To Work for" in 2002

Contacts:
Danita Gibson-Lloyd
Corporate Communications
706.649.5578
dglloyd@tsys.com 

Eric S. Bruner
Media Relations
706.644.8457
ebruner@tsys.com 

Leo S. Berard
Investor Relations
706.649.5220

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding TSYS' expected increases in revenues attributable to international clients, expected expanded business opportunities in Europe, expected completion of the development of country-specific localization requirements to service Oriental languages and the assumptions underlying such statements. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements in this press release. Many of these factors are beyond TSYS' ability to control or predict. The factors include, but are not limited to, lower than anticipated internal growth rates for TSYS' existing customers; TSYS' inability to control expenses and increase market share; TSYS' inability to successfully bring new products to market, including, but not limited to, stored value and e-commerce products; the inability of TSYS to grow its business through acquisitions; adverse developments with respect to entering into contracts with new clients and retaining current clients; the merger of TSYS clients with entities that are not TSYS clients; TSYS' inability to anticipate and respond to technological changes, particularly with respect to e-commerce; adverse developments with respect to the successful conversion of clients; the absence of significant changes in foreign exchange spreads between the United States and the countries TSYS transacts business in, to include Mexico, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and the European Union; adverse developments with respect to the credit card industry in general; TSYS' inability to successfully manage any impact from slowing economic conditions or consumer spending; the occurrence of catastrophic events that would impact TSYS' or its major customers' operating facilities, communications systems and technology, or that has a material negative impact on current economic conditions or levels of consumer spending; revenues generated by sub-prime lending clients being less than anticipated; successfully managing the potential both for patent protection and patent liability in the context of rapidly developing legal framework for expansive software patent protection; and overall market conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in this press release can be found in TSYS' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. We believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations.