Synovus' Transformation and Growth - Synovus has undergone a multi-year transformation, enhancing its ability to succeed [6] - The company is capitalizing on growth tailwinds with stronger loan growth, balanced core deposit growth, and continued healthy non-interest revenue growth [11, 21] - Synovus is focused on long-term shareholder value creation [14] Financial Performance and Guidance - The Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio decreased by 440 bps from 3Q22 [13] - Allowance For Credit Losses increased by 112 bps from 3Q22 [13] - Wholesale Funding/Assets increased by 11 bps from 3Q22 [13] - The company projects 3%-6% loan growth and 3%-6% core deposit growth for 2025 [35] - Synovus anticipates 3%-7% adjusted revenue growth and 3%-7% adjusted non-interest expense growth in 2025 [35] Strategic Initiatives - Synovus is targeting a 20-30% expansion of relationship managers over the next 3 years [26] - Strategic growth segments include Middle Market, Specialty Lending, and CIB [22]

Company Strategy & Competitive Advantages - The company aims for a long-term Return on Equity (ROE) target of 15%[8] - The company operates where specialized knowledge provides a competitive edge[8, 11] - A decentralized structure enables quick responses to changing market conditions[11] - The company focuses on long-term risk-adjusted returns and shareholder value creation[7, 8] Financial Performance & Capital Management - In 2024, Insurance net premiums written were $10.5 billion, and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess net premiums written were $1.4 billion[20] - As of December 31, 2024, total debt was $2.841 billion, and common equity was $8.395 billion, resulting in a debt-to-capital ratio of 25.3%[42] - The company has returned $7.5 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases since 2006, representing 55% of net income[49] - The company actively manages capital, including the issuance of subordinated debt in 2023 ($185 million at 5.700%), 2024 ($300 million at 5.100%), and planned issuances in 2025 ($250 million at 4.250%) and 2026 ($300 million at 4.125%)[46] Investment Portfolio - As of December 31, 2024, fixed maturity securities constituted 75.1% of the investment portfolio, totaling $22.397 billion[38] - Cash and cash equivalents represented 6.4% of the portfolio, amounting to $1.891 billion[38] - "Alternative" investments accounted for 18.5% of the portfolio, totaling $5.491 billion[38]

The full list of rankings can be accessed here. About Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.: Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Jericho, New York, with one branch office in Jericho, New York and an administrative office in Boca Raton, Florida. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Esquire Bank, is a full-service commercial bank dedicated to serving the financial needs of the litigation industry and small businesses nationally, as well as commercial and retail customers in the ...