Synovus Financial Corp. today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

First Quarter Results

• Net income available to common shareholders was $21.4 million for the first quarter of 2012, compared to net income available to common shareholders of $12.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $93.7 million in the first quarter of 2011.
• Diluted net income per common share for the first quarter of 2012 was $0.024 compared to diluted net income per common share of $0.014 for the fourth quarter of 2011, and a net loss per common share of $0.119 for the first quarter of 2011.

“We are pleased to report a profit for the third consecutive quarter,” said Kessel D. Stelling, Chairman and CEO of Synovus. “Our first quarter was highlighted by a significant reduction in non-performing loan inflows, lower net charge-offs, and a reduction in all key problem loan categories. These improving trends in key credit metrics are the main drivers of long-term, sustained profitability. During the quarter, our performance also included net interest margin improvement and the continued downward trend in expenses.”

Credit Trends

• Non-performing loan inflows were $139.6 million in the first quarter of 2012, down 26.2% from $189.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and down 54.5% from $306.5 million in the first quarter of 2011.
• Net charge-offs were $94.7 million in the quarter, down 16.5% from $113.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, and down 43.2% from $166.9 million in the first quarter of 2011. The annualized net charge-off ratio was 1.90% in the first quarter, down from 2.26% in the previous quarter, and down from 3.12% in the first quarter of 2011.
• Total delinquencies (consisting of loans 30 or more days past due and still accruing) were 0.73% of total loans at March 31, 2012, down from 0.74% at December 31, 2011, and 0.96% at March 31, 2011. Total loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing were 0.04% at March 31, 2012, down from 0.07% at December 31, 2011, and 0.05% at March 31, 2011.
• Potential problem commercial loans (consisting of substandard accruing loans but excluding loans 90 days past due and still accruing interest and substandard accruing troubled debt restructurings which are reported separately) declined for the sixth consecutive quarter to $685.5 million, a 12.1% decline from the fourth quarter of 2011, and a 46.6% decrease from the first quarter of 2011.
• Total non-performing assets were $1.06 billion at March 31, 2012, down $61.6 million from the previous quarter, and down $219.7 million or 17.2% from the first quarter of 2011. The non-performing asset ratio was 5.26% at March 31, 2012, compared to 5.50% at the end of the previous quarter and 5.97% at March 31, 2011.
• Total accruing troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) decreased to $651.2 million at March 31, 2012, down from $668.5 million the previous quarter. At March 31, 2012, approximately 97% of accruing TDRs are current as to principal and interest.
• Distressed asset sales were approximately $135 million during the first quarter, compared to approximately $147 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, and approximately $192 million in the first quarter of 2011.
• Total credit costs were $90.9 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $90.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and down 48.7% from $177.1 million in the first quarter of 2011.

Core Performance

Pre-tax, pre-credit costs income was $110.6 million for the first quarter of 2012, down $3.2 million from $113.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

• The net interest margin was 3.55%, up three basis points from the fourth quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2011.
• The effective cost of funds was down four basis points, while the yield on earning assets was down one basis point.
• Total non-interest income was $84.1 million for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $73.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Non-interest income, excluding net investment securities gains of $20.1 million in the first quarter of 2012 and $10.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, was up $0.9 million from the previous quarter, with mortgage revenues up $1.2 million from the prior quarter.
• Total reported non-interest expense was $203.1 million for the first quarter of 2012 compared to $219.1 million for the previous quarter.
• Core expenses (excludes Visa indemnification charges, restructuring charges and credit costs) were down $2.1 million from the fourth quarter of 2011.

Balance Sheet Fundamentals

• Net sequential quarter loan decline, excluding the impact of loan sales, transfers to loans held-for-sale, charge-offs, and foreclosures, was approximately $25 million for the first quarter, compared to an increase of approximately $167 million during the fourth quarter of 2011 and a decline of approximately $238 million during the first quarter of 2011.
• On a sequential quarter basis, total loans declined $236.1 million, compared to a $22.3 million decrease in the previous quarter, and a $588.3 million decrease in the first quarter of 2011.
• Total core deposits ended the quarter at $20.7 billion, up $102.4 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, driven by increases in demand deposits and money market funds, and a decline in time deposits.
• Non-interest bearing demand deposits were up $169.0 million or 12.7% (annualized) from the fourth quarter of 2011, and up $837.3 million or 17.8% from the first quarter of 2011.
• The number of non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts increased by 3,501 accounts, or 4.0% (annualized), over the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Total deposits ended the quarter at $22.1 billion, down $274.1 million from the previous quarter due primarily to the planned reductions in brokered deposits and time deposits.
• The effective cost of core deposits (includes non-interest bearing deposits) continued to decline, with an effective cost of 47 basis points for the first quarter of 2012, compared to 53 basis points for the previous quarter and 72 basis points in the first quarter of 2011.

Regulatory Capital Ratios

• Tier 1 Common Equity ratio was 8.67% at March 31, 2012 up from 8.49% at December 31, 2011.
• Tier 1 Capital ratio was 13.19% at March 31, 2012 up from 12.94% at December 31, 2011.
• Tier 1 Leverage ratio was 10.41% at March 31, 2012 up from 10.08% at December 31, 2011.
• Total Risk-based Capital ratio was 16.57% at March 31, 2012 up from 16.49% at December 31, 2011.

Stelling concluded, "This quarter marks another significant step on our path to sustained profitability. While credit improvement and expense discipline remain key to our long-term success, we are very focused on core revenue growth and providing great value to our customers. We continue to invest in new technology and talent, all with the goal of providing unparalleled service throughout our markets. Our efforts are reflected both in the growth in the number of accounts and overall core deposit balances, and are further evidenced by our number one market share position in twelve markets and top five market share position in markets representing almost eighty percent of our deposit franchise.  Recently announced, nationally recognized awards for excellence in customer service show that our customer-focused, relationship-based brand of banking is working well and provides a solid foundation for our future.”