Other Real Estate

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Other Real Estate, Foreclosed Assets, and Repossessed Assets [Abstract]

Other Real Estate

Other Real Estate

ORE consists of properties obtained through a foreclosure proceeding or through an in-substance foreclosure in satisfaction of loans. In accordance with provisions of ASC 310-10-35 regarding subsequent measurement of loans for impairment and ASC 310-40-15 regarding accounting for troubled debt restructurings by a creditor, a loan is classified as an in-substance foreclosure when Synovus has taken possession of the collateral regardless of whether formal foreclosure proceedings have taken place.

At foreclosure, ORE is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less the estimated cost to sell, which establishes a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, ORE is evaluated quarterly and reported at fair value less estimated costs to sell, not to exceed the new cost basis, determined on the basis of current appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates of fair value obtained principally from independent sources, adjusted for estimated selling costs. Management also considers other factors or recent developments such as changes in absorption rates or market conditions from the time of valuation and anticipated sales values considering management’s plans for disposition, which could result in adjustment to lower the collateral value estimates indicated in the appraisals. At the time of foreclosure or initial possession of collateral, any excess of the loan balance over the fair value of the real estate held as collateral, less costs to sell, is recorded as a charge against the allowance for loan losses. Revenue and expenses from ORE operations as well as gains or losses on sales are recorded as foreclosed real estate expense, net, a component of non-interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations. Subsequent declines in fair value are recorded on a property-by-property basis through use of a valuation allowance within other real estate on the consolidated balances sheets and valuation adjustment account in foreclosed real estate expense, net, a component of non-interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

The carrying value of ORE was $150.3 million and $204.2 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, $155.8 million and $226.9 million, respectively,of loans and other loans held for sale were foreclosed and transferred to other real estate at fair value. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, Synovus recognized foreclosed real estate expense, net, of $90.7 million, $133.6 million, and $163.6 million, respectively. These expenses included write-downs for declines in fair value of ORE subsequent to the date of foreclosure and net realized losses resulting from sales transactions totaling $73.9 million, $113.4 million,and$137.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.