Synovus Plans 30% Relationship Manager Hiring Boost in Florida Markets

COLUMBUS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Synovus is accelerating its growth by adding new relationship managers in commercial and middle market banking and wealth services, reinforcing its commitment to delivering personalized, relationship-driven banking. The bank expects to increase its hiring of relationship managers by 20%-30% across target growth markets in the southeast over the next three years.

“As we expand in high-opportunity markets throughout the southeast, we’re investing in talented individuals who have a deep understanding of local economies and prioritize a client-centric approach with proactive financial guidance,” said Synovus Chairman, CEO and President Kevin Blair. “Our relationship managers play a key role in building strong, lasting partnerships and making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.”

Relationship managers bring extensive industry knowledge and proven expertise to help businesses and individuals navigate today’s ever-changing economic landscape. Synovus is investing in top talent as it continues its transformative path to sustainable growth.

Miami and Orlando-area market additions:

Chuck Fortier, commercial banker - Winter Park, Florida
Fortier has extensive experience in building customer relationships across banking, communications and software industries. He was previously a relationship manager at First Horizon/Iberiabank.

Oscar Franceschini, wholesale middle market relationship manager - Orlando, Florida
Franceschini has more than 15 years of commercial banking experience and has held previous roles at BankUnited and Regions Bank.

Mimi Savatic, wholesale middle market relationship manager - Miami, Florida
Savatic previously worked at Safe Harbor Equity and spent 10 years at Truist in commercial real estate.

Vytaute Zubavicius, commercial banker, Winter Park, Florida
Zubavicius brings 10 years of banking industry experience to Synovus and joins the bank from City National Bank of Florida.

The bank’s focus on high-opportunity markets includes Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Spartanburg South Carolina; and Miami, Orlando and Tampa, Florida.

Core relationship-based banking is fundamental to Synovus, and this growth strategy taps into the bank’s existing networks to gain a stronger competitive edge in these markets.

Synovus Bank, a Georgia-chartered, FDIC-insured bank, provides commercial and consumer banking in addition to a full suite of specialized products and services, including wealth services, treasury management, mortgage services, premium finance, asset-based lending, structured lending, capital markets and international banking. Synovus has branches in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. Synovus is a Great Place to Work-Certified Company. Learn more about Synovus at synovus.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through Synovus’ use of words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “assumes,” “should,” “predicts,” “could,” “would,” “intends,” “targets,” “estimates,” “projects,” “plans,” “potential” and other similar words and expressions of the future or otherwise regarding the outlook for Synovus’ future business and financial performance and/or the performance of the banking industry and economy in general.

These forward-looking statements are based upon information presently known to Synovus’ management and are inherently subjective, uncertain and subject to change due to any number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risks and other factors set forth in Synovus’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, under the captions “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” and in Synovus’ quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. We believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date that they are made. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as otherwise may be required by law.