Pointpath is applying the pioneering spirit and convenience of the Internet to better adapt to online consumers and give them the guidance to make prudent financial decisions. Pointpath will win the loyalty of its customers by giving them the educational tools and energizing confidence to be in control, no matter what path they choose in life. Pointpath is the answer for customers seeking new alternatives, and another tool for gaining market share and expanding our banking footprint.

Consumers tend to evaluate and restructure their financial affairs during major life events, or "touchpoints." Marriage is chief among them. Our research and common sense indicates this is a time when consumers consolidate their financial lives: checking accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, insurance, car loans, credit cards, retirement plans - all issues that nearly-wed, newly-wed and recently-wedded couples address in conjunction with the wedding event. It's a perfect touchpoint to connect with customers and to establish lifelong relationships. From this point forward, pointpath is designed to grow with its customers. No matter what point in life customers come from, pointpath will guide them through the journey to financial success. Through pointpath, customers will find education, advice and service on basic consumer banking services, insurance, mortgages, loans and a steadily expanding menu of financial services.

Pointpath will introduce itself to potential customers through alliances with leading Internet wedding "hubs," which represent some of the top sites on the web for wedding traffic. We will continue to strike alliances with online and offline companies that will trade traffic and add value for pointpath and its customers.

In its pilot stage, OnLine Access - our Internet banking option for current customers of Synovus banks - has reported incredible growth compared to industry norms. We have introduced Internet banking options for customers of Columbus Bank and Trust Company^® (CB&T^®) and Vanguard Bank & Trust in Pensacola, Fla. The service already has penetrated both banks' demand deposit account base at a level other banks have taken many months longer to achieve. By the end of 2000, the service will be introduced in multiple Synovus markets.

We will continue to implement OnLine Access in our communities based on local market demographics and customer demand. Meanwhile, we have created informational web sites for almost every company in the family, with plans for many of these to become transactional in the coming quarters.

Come see the new face of Synovus. Wherever you are, we are there.