Banks Combine to Become Synovus Bank of Tampa Bay; United Bank of the Gulf Coast, United Bank and Trust Co., Peoples Bank Now under One Charter.

COLUMBUS, Ga. -- Synovus (NYSE: SNV), the Columbus, Georgia-based, diversified financial services company, today announced the opening of Synovus Bank of Tampa Bay - a $1 billion asset bank created by the combining of three Synovus banks in the Tampa Bay Florida market.

United Bank and Trust Company in St. Petersburg, United Bank of the Gulf Coast in Sarasota and Peoples Bank in Palm Harbor received regulatory approval and officially joined under one charter effective July 22, 2005. The newly named Synovus Bank of Tampa Bay is headquartered in St. Petersburg and will deliver its financial products and services to customers through 13 banking centers in Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota and Manatee counties.

"We are pleased to have reached this significant growth milestone in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg market," stated Fred Green, Synovus Vice Chairman over Banking Operations. "We believe that the combination of these already successful banks under the unique name and decentralized management structure of Synovus will result in a more satisfying experience for customers in this market."

David W. Dunbar, former President and CEO of Peoples Bank, has been named Chief Executive Officer of the new Synovus Bank of Tampa Bay. Neil W. Savage, former Chairman and CEO of United Bank and Trust Company, has been named as the bank's Chairman of the Board, and Harold J. Winner, former President of United Bank and Trust Company, has been named President.

CEO David Dunbar added, "Synovus Bank of Tampa Bay offers customers the same local, experienced bankers backed by the added strength and convenience of an expanded branch network, enhanced products and services, and the asset size of a larger bank. Under the new name, we will continue to deliver the same superior customer service and maintain our community bank philosophy, while leveraging the strength of Synovus."

About Synovus

Synovus (NYSE: SNV) is a diversified financial services holding company with over $26 billion in assets based in Columbus, Georgia. Synovus provides integrated financial services including banking, financial management, insurance, mortgage and leasing services through 39 banks and other Synovus offices in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee; and electronic payment processing through an 81-percent stake in TSYS (NYSE: TSS), one of the world's largest companies for outsourced payment services. Synovus has been named one of "The 100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine, and has been recognized in its Hall of Fame for consecutive appearances on the list since its inception in 1998. In 2005, Synovus was also named as one of "America's Most Admired Companies". See Synovus on the Web at www.synovus.com.