Synovus Financial Corp. today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

• Net income available to common shareholders increased to $37.2 million for the third quarter of 2013, a 21% increase compared to $30.7 million for the second quarter of 2013, and $16.0 million for the third quarter of 2012. Diluted net income per common share for the third quarter of 2013 was $0.04 compared to $0.03 for the second quarter of 2013 and $0.02 for the third quarter of 2012. 
  • The third quarter of 2013 results included income tax expense of $27.8 million compared to $27.4 million in the second quarter of 2013 and a tax benefit of $211 thousand in the third quarter of 2012.
• Credit costs declined to $22.4 million for the third quarter of 2013, compared to $24.0 million for the second quarter of 2013 and $85.6 million for the third quarter of 2012.
• Total loans grew $103.3 million sequentially or 2.1% annualized.

“We were pleased with the continued growth in profitability during the third quarter, with a 21% increase in net income available to common shareholders compared to last quarter.  This upward trend signals one of the many and immediate benefits of our company’s July 26th exit from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP),” said Kessel D. Stelling, Chairman and CEO of Synovus.  “Third quarter results also included other encouraging signs, including growth in loans and deposits, stability in the net interest margin, and continued positive credit trends.”

Core Performance

Pre-tax, pre-credit costs income was $95.4 million for the third quarter of 2013, down $2.6 million from $98.0 million for the second quarter of 2013.

• Net interest income was $204.0 million for the third quarter of 2013, up $1.9 million from $202.1 million in the previous quarter.
• The net interest margin increased to 3.40%, up one basis point from the second quarter of 2013, with the yield on earning assets up one basis point and the effective cost of funds unchanged.
• Total non-interest income was $63.6 million for the third quarter of 2013, down $1.5 million, compared to $65.1 million for the second quarter of 2013, due primarily to a decline in mortgage banking income of $2.0 million.
• Adjusted non-interest expense (excludes Visa indemnification charges, restructuring charges and other credit costs) was $171.0 million, up $3.3 million from $167.8 million for the second quarter of 2013, due primarily to a $3.3 million increase in employment expenses (merit increases and one additional pay day) and elevated professional fees.

Balance Sheet Fundamentals

• Total reported loans ended the quarter at $19.71 billion, a $103.3 million increase from the second quarter of 2013.
  • Commercial and industrial loans grew by $18.1 million from the second quarter of 2013, or 0.7% annualized.
  • Retail loans grew by $83.3 million from the second quarter of 2013, or 9.5% annualized.
  • Commercial real estate loans grew by $3.2 million from the second quarter of 2013.
• Total deposits ended the quarter at $20.97 billion, up $263.2 million from the previous quarter due primarily to increases in non-interest bearing demand deposits and time deposits.
• Core deposits ended the quarter at $19.70 billion, up $326.0 million compared to the second quarter of 2013. Core deposits, excluding time deposits, increased $133.5 million compared to the previous quarter.

Credit Quality

All key credit quality metrics continued to improve.

• Total credit costs were $22.4 million in the third quarter of 2013, down from $24.0 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $85.6 million in the third quarter of 2012.
• Net charge-offs were $23.0 million in the third quarter of 2013, down from $30.0 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $96.5 million in the third quarter of 2012. The annualized net charge-off ratio was 0.47% in the third quarter, down from 0.61% in the previous quarter and 1.97% in the third quarter of 2012.
• Non-performing loan inflows were $47.4 million in the third quarter of 2013, down from $66.9 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $114.8 million in the third quarter of 2012.
• Non-performing loans, excluding loans held for sale, were $450.9 million at September 30, 2013, down $32.6 million from the previous quarter, and down $249.3 million or 35.6% from the third quarter of 2012. The non-performing loan ratio was 2.29% at September 30, 2013, down from 2.47% at the end of the previous quarter and 3.55% at September 30, 2012.
• Total non-performing assets were $586.9 million at September 30, 2013, down $48.3 million from the previous quarter, and down $312.5 million or 34.7% from the third quarter of 2012. The non-performing asset ratio was 2.96% at September 30, 2013, compared to 3.21% at the end of the previous quarter and 4.51% at September 30, 2012.
• Total delinquencies (consisting of loans 30 or more days past due and still accruing) declined to 0.40% of total loans at September 30, 2013, compared to 0.41% at June 30, 2013, and 0.55% at September 30, 2012. Total loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing remained low at 0.02% at September 30, 2013, compared to 0.02% at June 30, 2013, and 0.05% at September 30, 2012.
• Distressed asset sales were approximately $56 million during the third quarter, compared to approximately $67 million in the second quarter of 2013, and approximately $110 million in the third quarter of 2012.

Capital Ratios

The September 30, 2013 capital ratios reflect the common and preferred stock offerings ($300 million in net proceeds) completed during the third quarter in connection with the July 2013 $968 million TARP redemption.

• Tier 1 Common Equity ratio was 9.93% at September 30, 2013, compared to 8.97% at June 30, 2013.
• Tier 1 Capital ratio was 10.55% at September 30, 2013, compared to 13.49% at June 30, 2013.
• Total Risk Based Capital ratio was 13.04% at September 30, 2013, compared to 15.99% at June 30, 2013.
• Tier 1 Leverage ratio was 8.96% at September 30, 2013, compared to 11.33% at June 30, 2013.
• Tangible Common Equity ratio was 10.61% at September 30, 2013, compared to 9.71% at June 30, 2013.

“We will recognize later this month our 125th anniversary as a banking organization, and I want to thank our team members and our customers for their dedication and loyalty to our company.  While we celebrate our rich past, we are also looking ahead to a bright future.

“Our post-TARP redemption capital position is strong, and our company is well-positioned in growing markets throughout the southeast. According to recently released FDIC data, we again retained top five market share in markets that represent approximately 80% of our core deposit franchise.  We continue to invest in high-opportunity markets and business lines where we can leverage our proven, relationship-based delivery model to build long-term customer relationships,” Stelling concluded.