Richard E. Anthony

Chairman of the Board
President & Chief Executive Officer
Synovus Financial Corp.
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Experience:
Richard joined Synovus Financial Corp. in 1992 when the company merged with First Commercial Bancshares of Birmingham, Alabama. He served as President of Synovus Financial Corp. of Alabama from 1993 until 1995, when he was elected Vice Chairman of the holding company and was responsible for the management of all of the company’s affiliate banks and its mortgage company. Richard was elected President and Chief Operating Officer in 2003 and served in that role until being named Chief Executive Officer and President in July 2005.  In October 2006, Richard was elected Chairman of the Board and CEO of Synovus.

Education:
B.S., Finance, University of Alabama, 1968
Masters of Business Administration, University of Virginia, 1971

Current Affiliations:

• Director, Synovus Financial Corp.
• Director, Total System Services, Inc.
• Board Member, Georgia Chamber of Commerce
• Director, American Bankers Association 
• Member, Commission For A New Georgia
• Director and Member of Executive Committee, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce
• Member, State of Georgia Economic Development Commission
• Board Member, The Financial Services Roundtable
• Member, The University of Alabama President's Cabinet
• Member, The University of Alabama School of Commerce and Business Administration Board of Visitors
• Board Member, Boys & Girls Club
• Executive Committee, The United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley 

Recent Honors:

• Anthony named on "Who's Who" list in Banking and Financial Services in Metro Atlanta by Atlanta Business Chronicle, 2005

Summary:

Richard Anthony is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Synovus Financial Corp., which provides diverse financial services including banking, financial management, insurance, mortgage and leasing services through banks and other Synovus offices in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Today, as CEO and President, Richard has responsibility for the performance and strategic direction of Synovus and its affiliated companies.

After graduating from the University of Alabama in 1968 and earning his M.B.A. at the University of Virginia in 1971, Richard began his career in the financial services industry with AmSouth Bank, N.A. in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1985, he left his Executive Vice President position with AmSouth Bank to become President of First Commercial Bancshares, Inc. and Chairman of the Board and CEO of First Commercial Bank in Birmingham. First Commercial Bancshares became a member of the Synovus family of companies in 1992.

Richard has participated in many community activities through leadership roles which include the following: Director, The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, 1995 - 2005; Director, Business Council of Alabama, 1995 - 2005; President, Birmingham Kiwanis Club, 1996-1997; Captain, Monday Morning Quarterback Club, 1993; President, Country Club of Birmingham, 1991; Alumnus, Leadership Alabama, 1998; Past Chairman, Capital Campaign, Boys & Girls Club of Central Alabama, 1996-1998; Co-Chairman, Capital Campaign, University of Alabama, 1992-1997; Past Chairman, North Central Region American Lung Association, 1995; Alumnus, Leadership Birmingham, 1992; President, Alabama Golf Association, 1985; Chairman, Lakeshore Hospital, 1982; Chairman, Chattahoochee Valley United Way Campaign, 2006,  Chairman, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley Campaign, 2008.