Exhibit 5.1

                                               191 Peachtree Street
                                               Atlanta, Georgia  30303-1763
                                               www.kslaw.com

                                               Direct Dial: 404-572-4600
                                               Direct Fax:  404-572-5100

July 21, 2005

Synovus Financial Corp.
1111 Bay Avenue, Suite 500
Columbus, Georgia 31901

      Re: Legality of the 5.125% Subordinated Notes Due 2017 Being Registered

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We have acted as counsel to Synovus Financial Corp., a Georgia corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of a registration statement
on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), relating to the proposed exchange of up to $450,000,000
aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Subordinated Notes Due 2017 of the Company
required under the Securities Act (the "New Notes") for a like principal amount
of the Company's issued and outstanding 5.125% Subordinated Notes Due 2017 (the
"Old Notes").

      In so acting, we have reviewed the Indenture, dated as of June 20, 2005,
between the Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
(the "Indenture"). We have also reviewed such matters of law and examined
original, certified, conformed or photographic copies of such other documents,
records, agreements and certificates as we have deemed necessary as a basis for
the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such review, we have assumed the
genuineness of signatures on all documents submitted to us as originals and the
conformity to original documents of all copies submitted to us as certified,
conformed or photographic copies.

      For purposes of the opinions below, we have assumed that the execution and
delivery of, and the performance of all obligations under, the Indenture have
been duly authorized by all requisite action by the Trustee and that the
Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding
agreement of, the Trustee, enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with
its terms.

      This opinion is limited in all respects to the laws of the States of New
York and Georgia and no opinion is expressed with respect to the laws of any
other jurisdiction or any effect that such laws may have on the opinions
expressed herein. This opinion is limited to the matters stated herein.



Synovus Financial Corp.
July 21, 2005
Page 2

      Based upon the foregoing, and subject to all of the assumptions,
qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

            (1) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
      by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
      Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms,
      subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to bankruptcy, insolvency,
      fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of
      general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
      general equity principles.

            (2) The New Notes have been duly authorized by the Company and, when
      executed and delivered by the Company and duly authenticated in accordance
      with the terms of the Indenture and delivered in exchange for the Old
      Notes, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company,
      enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject,
      as to enforcement of remedies, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
      transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general
      applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general
      equity principles.

      This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation
to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to our
attention or changes in laws that occur, which could affect the opinions
contained herein. This opinion may not be relied upon by any person or entity
(other than the addressee hereof) for any purposes without our prior written
consent.

      We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus that is included in the Registration Statement.

                                            Very truly yours,


                                            King & Spalding LLP