Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies

General

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Synovus Financial Corp. include the accounts of the Parent Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Synovus Financial Corp. is a financial services company based in Columbus, Georgia. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Synovus Bank, a Georgia state-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, the Company provides commercial and consumer banking in addition to a full suite of specialized products and services, including private banking, treasury management, wealth management, mortgage services, premium finance, asset-based lending, structured lending, capital markets, and international banking. Synovus also provides financial planning and investment advisory services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Synovus Trust and Synovus Securities, as well as its GLOBALT and Creative Financial Group divisions. Synovus Bank is positioned in markets in the Southeast, with 245 branches and 363 ATMs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to the SEC Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X; therefore, they do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. All adjustments consisting of normally recurring accruals that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the periods covered by this Report have been included. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in Synovus' 2022 Form 10-K.

Investments in Tax Credit Structures

Synovus invests in certain LIHTC partnerships, which are engaged in the development and operation of affordable multi-family housing pursuant to Section 42 of the Code. Additionally, Synovus invests in certain solar energy tax credit partnerships pursuant to Section 48 of the Code and certain new market tax credit partnership pursuant to section 45D of the Code. Synovus typically acts as a limited partner in these investments and does not exert control over the operating or financial policies of the partnerships and as such, is not considered the primary beneficiary of the partnership. For certain of its LIHTC investments, Synovus provides financing during the construction and development of the properties and is at risk for the funded amount of its equity investment plus the outstanding amount of any construction loans in excess of the fair value of the collateral for the loan, but has no obligation to fund the operations or working capital of the partnerships and is not exposed to losses beyond Synovus’ investment. Synovus receives tax credits related to these investments, which are subject to recapture by taxing authorities based on compliance provisions required to be met at the project level.

Synovus applies the proportional amortization method of accounting for its LIHTC partnerships. Effective January 1, 2023, upon the adoption of ASU 2023-02, Synovus also began applying the proportional amortization method of accounting to its qualifying new market tax credit partnership. The proportional amortization method recognizes the amortized cost of the investment as a component of income tax expense. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2023-02, Synovus applied the equity method of accounting to its new market tax credit partnership. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, Synovus recognized LIHTC and new market tax credit partnership tax credits of $10.8 million and amortization expense of $10.2 million, which were included within income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 Synovus recognized LIHTC investment partnerships tax credits of $7.5 million and amortization expense of $8.0 million, which were included within income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income.

Reclassifications

Prior periods' consolidated financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to the current periods' presentation.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

In preparing the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the respective consolidated balance sheets and the reported amounts of revenue and expense for the periods presented. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the ACL, estimates of fair value, income taxes, and contingent liabilities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides a brief description of accounting standards adopted or issued in 2023 and the estimated effect on the Company’s financial statements.


Standard	Description	Required date of adoption	Effect on Company's financial statements or other significant matters
Standards Adopted
ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosure	In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02 to eliminate TDR accounting guidance while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The ASU also provides guidance for vintage table disclosures and gross write-offs. The ASU requires an entity to disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables within the scope of Subtopic 326-20.	January 1, 2023. Early adoption is permitted as of an interim period with retrospective application back to the beginning of the fiscal year.	The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2023 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements. See Note 3, Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, for the required disclosures in accordance with this ASU.

ASU 2023-02, Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method	In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, which expands the population of investments for which an investor may elect to apply the proportional amortization method. Under the ASU, an investor in a tax equity investment may elect the proportional amortization method for qualifying investments on a tax credit program-by-program basis. To qualify for the proportional amortization method, an investment must meet the criteria previously applicable to LIHTC investments, as clarified by the ASU.	January 1, 2024. Early adoption is permitted as of an interim period with retrospective application back to the beginning of the fiscal year.	The Company early adopted this standard on January 1, 2023, on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognized a cumulative effect adjustment of $297 thousand at adoption to decrease the beginning balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2023, for the difference between the previous method used to account for the tax equity investment and the application of the proportional amortization method since the investment was entered into.