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Synovus Bank Review: Overall Rating

FeatureInsider rating (out of 5)
Savings3.75
Checking3.75
CD3.75
Money market account3.25
Trustworthiness5
Total4

Synovus Bank Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Checking account with multiple overdraft protection options

  • Get Synovus Plus perks if you have the Synovus Free Checking Account and meet certain requirements

  • 24/7 customer support

  • Only available to residents in AL, GA, FL, SC, and TN
  • Low interest rates on savings accounts
  • Monthly service fees on savings accounts
  • $100 minimum opening deposit for savings and checking accounts

About Synovus Bank 

Synovus is a brick-and-mortar financial institution with 343 branches in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Customers have access to over 1,250 ATMs through the bank's ATM network and the Publix Presto! ATM network. 

Customer service is available every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

The bank's mobile app has 4.5 out of 5 stars in the Google Play Store and 4.8 out of 5 stars in the Apple store. 

Synovus is FDIC-insured. You may keep up to $250,000 in an individual bank account.

Synovus Plus 

Synovus Plus is a special bank program that offers discounts and perks for other bank products and services.

The following benefits are the most notable perks offered through Synovus Plus: 

Bank productPerks
Synovus Plus Checking Account - Product Name Only
  • 1 free out-of-network ATM fee reimbursement per month
  • First order of checks free
  • 50% refund on bank safe deposit boxes
Synovus Personal Savings Account, Synovus Money Market Account, Synovus Certificate of Deposit
  • Preferred pricing on savings and money market accounts depending on your relationship balance
  • Higher interest rate for CDs (Call your nearest branch for relationship rates)
Synovus Credit Cards
  • Free expedited delivery for emergency replacement cards 
  • Receive 10,000 bonus points on the Synovus Rewards Credit Card or Synovus Travel Rewards Credit Card if you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days
  • Receive $100 bonus on the Synovus Cash Rewards Credit Card if you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days
  • Receive $50 credit on the Synovus Cash Rewards Credit Card if you spend $60,000 in a year
Loans
  • Get a 0.25% APR discount on a home equity line of credit
  • Get a 0.20% APR discount on a securities-backed line of credit

You may qualify for Synovus Plus if you open and maintain the Synovus Free Checking Account.

Is Synovus Bank Trustworthy? 

We include ratings from the Better Business Bureau so you can see how a bank handles customer issues.

The BBB gave Synovus an A+ rating. A good BBB grade doesn't guarantee that your banking experience will be perfect, though. Read online customer reviews or talk to current customers to determine whether Synovus is a good match. 

Synovus hasn't been involved in any recent public scandals.

Synovus Bank FAQs

Is Synovus Bank nationwide?

Synovus Bank is a regional brick-and-mortar financial institution available only in the Southeast US. There are 343 branches in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

How much do you need to open an account at Synovus Bank?

The minimum opening deposit for savings, checking, or money market accounts is $100. CDs require a minimum of $1,000.

Is Synovus a good bank?

Synovus is a good choice if you are looking to open a checking account at a brick-and-mortar bank. If you would like to earn more interest on your savings, online banks or credit unions may be stronger options since they pay higher rates on savings accounts and CDs.

Synovus Bank Account Reviews

Synovus Personal Savings Account

The Synovus Bank Personal Savings is a standard savings option, similar to what you'd find at most brick-and-mortar banks. There's a Synovus Personal Savings Account - Fees Display if you don't maintain at least $200 across your bank accounts, and the interest rate is pretty low.

If you're looking to earn a higher interest rate, our guide on the best high-yield savings accounts has stronger savings accounts.

Synovus Plus Checking Account

The Synovus Free Checking Account is a decent option if you meet one of the requirements to waive the Synovus Plus Checking Account - Product Name Only. You may waive the fee if you maintain $5,000 or more in your checking account each month, $10,000 across all your Synovus Bank accounts, or $500,000 or more across business and commercial bank accounts each month. The fee is also waived for military members.

This checking account also allows you to have access to the Synovus Plus program, which has perks like higher interest rates on savings accounts or an automatic out-of-network fee refund each month. 

Synovus CD

Synovus pays low interest rates on most terms and requires a minimum opening deposit of Synovus Certificate of Deposit. If you don't have that much money for an initial deposit or would like to earn a higher rate, consider going through best CD rates guide.

Synovus Money Market Account

You might like the  Synovus Money Market Account if you want to open a money market account with a low initial deposit. Most brick-and-mortar banks require a minimum of $1,000, while you'll only need Synovus Money Market Account with Synovus.

To get the most out of the account, you'll want to maintain a balance of at least $2,500. Otherwise, you'll have to pay a Synovus Money Market Account - Fees Display

How Synovus Bank Compares 

Synovus Bank vs. First Horizon Bank

First Horizon Bank is another brick-and-mortar bank located in the Southeast US region.  Deciding between these two banks may largely depend on your habits and preferences.

Both banks have strong checking accounts but stand out for different reasons.

You might lean more toward Synovus if you qualify for Synovus Plus. To get the bank's perks, you'll first need to open the Synovus Free Checking Account. Then, to waive the monthly service fee you'll need to maintain a minimum monthly deposit of $5,000 in your checking account, $10,000 across all your Synovus Bank accounts, or $500,000 or more across business and commercial bank accounts each month. 

If you don't think you'll meet these requirements, First Horizon accounts might be easier to manage. The First Horizon Bank FirstView Checking Account has a lower minimum opening deposit, and the account has free overdraft protection.

First Horizon Bank Review

Synovus Bank vs. First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank is available in most of the same states as Synovus. 

First Citizens Bank Free Checking Account - Brand Name might be your top choice if you'd like to open a bank account with a low minimum opening deposit. You can open a savings or checking account with just $50. Synovus requires an initial deposit of $100 or more. 

If you frequently withdraw cash from your bank account, it'll be a toss-up between the two banks. 

First Citizens Bank has more branches and is available in more states. Meanwhile, Synovus customers have access to a larger fee-free ATM network.

First Citizens Bank Review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Synovus Bank

For our Synovus Bank review, we rated bank products and services using our bank account methodology.

At Personal Finance Insider, we rate bank accounts on a scale from zero to five stars. We review different features for distinct types of bank accounts. For example, we'll look at early withdrawal penalties and CD variety specifically for CDs. Meanwhile, for checking accounts, we'll factor in the ATM network size and fees, as well as its overdraft protection options. We'll also usually examine minimum opening deposits, monthly service fees, customer support availability, and mobile app ratings for all types of bank accounts.

Read the original article on Business Insider