[TSYS LOGO]
For Immediate Release


 Contact:  James B. Lipham                  Patrick A. Reynolds
           Chief Financial Officer          Director of Investor Relations
           (706) 649-2262                   (706) 649-4973

                  TSYS EXPECTS TO EXCEED ANALYSTS' ESTIMATES FOR 1996

         Columbus,  Ga., September 16, 1996 --Today, at 11:00 a.m., Total System
Services,  Inc.  (TSYS) (NYSE:  "TSS") Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer  Richard W. Ussery will announce at the  Donaldson,  Lufkin,  & Jenrette
Emerging  Growth  Conference  in New York that he expects  earnings  for 1996 to
exceed current analysts' estimates by approximately 10%.
         This forward-looking projection is based on a series of projections and
estimates  reflecting  greater  revenues  generated  from the  conversion of new
customers  to TSYS'  credit  card  processing  system,  the  growth of  existing
customers'  accounts on file, and increased  volumes as well as use of ancillary
services,  better results for the start up of Vital Processing  Services,  TSYS'
merchant   processing   joint  venture  with  Visa(R)   U.S.A.,   and  continued
improvements in productivity through better expense control.
         Headquartered  in  Columbus,  Ga.,  TSYS is one of the world's  largest
credit, debit and private- label card processing companies, serving card issuing
institutions  located  throughout  the United  States,  Puerto Rico,  Canada and
Mexico,  representing more than 76 million cardholder accounts.  TSYS provides a
comprehensive  on-line system of data processing  services marketed as THE TOTAL
SYSTEMSM.  The company is an 80.8 percent owned subsidiary of Synovus  Financial
Corp. (NYSE- "SNV"), a $8.3 billion asset, multi-financial services company that
also includes 34 banking affiliates in four southeastern  states, a full-service
brokerage firm, a comprehensive  trust services provider and a mortgage services
company. Synovus' Internet address is http://www.snv.com.

         The  matters  set  forth  in  this  news  release  are  forward-looking
statements that are dependent on certain risks and  uncertainties  including the
financial  strength  of  the  economy,  particularly  the  consumers'  continued
utilization of credit cards as payment  systems and a credit medium,  continuing
scheduled  conversions of new and existing customers to the company's cardholder
software,  the  economic  viability of the  company's  joint  ventures,  and the
continued operational capabilities of the company.

                                       ###